This garden office with a secret storage shed by Kent based Ark Design Build showcases how bespoke designers can overcome the obstacles of a site with creative flair.
The area of the garden chosen for the office had a significant slope. Many designers would have installed a foundation to create a level base and then hide the deep foundation with a cladding skirt, but the Ark Design Build team saw a design opportunity in the sloping ground.
Alongside their fully insulated office space, Ark's clients wanted to add a storage room. The Ark team could see that if the storage room sat at the bottom of the slope, it opened up the option of creating a taller storage area than usual - it ended up 3m tall.
Two frames
The Ark Design Build team made two frames for this project. The main framework formed the office and veranda area. A smaller framework was built to create the storage shed, and this sits on lower foundations to create the additional height inside the shed.
Storage shed with a secret door
The exterior of this building has been beautifully detailed. We love how the painted black tongue & groove cladding has been mixed with Thermowood shadow gap battens.
This detailing makes the door into the storage shed difficult to see. Only the horizontal line at the top of the door gives you a clue that it is there. The door has a hidden flush lock system, which adds to the streamlined appearance.
Two sets of bi-fold doors
As we can see from these photos, the office has a lovely inside-outside feel. This is in no small part due to the addition of two sets of Aluminium bi-fold doors.
The doors lead out onto the wrap-around decked veranda. Black composite decking has been used rather than wood decking. This is a good choice as it doesn't become slippery and discoloured as timber decking is prone to do.
High spec interior
Ark Design Build plaster and decorate the interior of their buildings. As we can see, this is mixed with a wooden floor; the combination creates a light modern room. The customers choice of a cork feature wall looks particularly good.
Move in and start work
When the Ark Design Build leaves the site, their offices are ready for the owner to move their furniture and equipment in and start work.
As part of the turnkey service they offer, they handle the final connection of the office's electrics to the mains supplies - other companies ask you to organise this with another company.
As well as power sockets and LED recessed downlights, the Ark Design Build electrical specification includes a hardwired Cat6 data cable for reliable internet connection, as standard.
Ark Design Build are based in Kent and focus their installations in the South East of England.
To learn more about this project, talk to the Ark Design Build team on 07760 882 950 or send them an email at contact@arkdesignbuild.co.uk. You might also like to explore their website www.arkdesignbuild.co.uk