Garden Spaces bring complex projects to life
Published: 5 June 2023
Reading Time: 5 minutes 17 seconds
Garden Spaces has built a strong reputation for embracing complex bespoke design projects that many garden room companies shy away from. Often, working within the confines of existing planning approval or irregular-shaped sites can be daunting, but for Garden Spaces, such projects are opportunities to showcase their expertise and creativity. This well-established firm thrives on challenges, and their ability to create stylish and functional garden rooms from complex design briefs is unparalleled.
One project that demonstrates their prowess in handling complex briefs is this golf simulator and cinema room project. This ambitious undertaking is a testament to how Garden Spaces can seamlessly translate a client's vision into a stunning, fully realised garden room that perfectly fits the client's needs.
With a seasoned team of designers and engineers, Garden Spaces is more than equipped to bring the most complex garden room designs to reality. They offer a comprehensive 'One Stop Shop' solution, managing the entirety of the project from start to finish. This all-inclusive approach allows their clients to relax and anticipate the final product - a bespoke, move-in ready new room tailored to their unique specifications. Garden Spaces' commitment to delivering these turnkey solutions solidifies their standing as industry leaders in the realm of complex garden room designs.
Working within the confines of an existing planning application
When Garden Spaces' clients first approached them, they were armed with an architect's design and planning approval in place for that design. The envisioned room was a multifunctional space, destined to serve as both a golf simulator room and a home cinema.
The architect's design was unique; an asymmetrical apex roofline and an angled left-hand wall that followed the lines of the boundary of the garden. The design also outlined building dimensions and external material choices, all of which had been approved in the planning process.
While architects often propose creative and unique designs, transforming these concepts into reality can be a complex and cost-intensive process. For this reason, many garden room companies hesitate to work with external designs or within the constraints of existing planning approvals.
Garden Spaces' clients turned to them with this exact challenge. The approved plans were not detailed construction drawings, but instead provided a broad representation of the intended form of the building. This is where Garden Spaces' experience and skill truly came into play. They embarked on a detailed design process, deciphering the architect's vision and finding the best way to bring it to life.
As they delved into the design, it became evident that the combination of the angled left-hand wall and the asymmetrical roofline would result in a twisted roof that was impossible to manufacture. This unexpected hurdle required a new approach. Without the possibility of amending the design and reapplying for planning permission, Garden Spaces had to think creatively within the established parameters.
Another significant aspect of the design was the need for a high ceiling. With the room destined for use as a golf simulator, sufficient space was required to accommodate the swing of a club. As a result, a vaulted ceiling was essential. While this increased the complexity of the roof design, it was an integral part of the client's specifications.
Garden Spaces’ extensive knowledge of designing SIPs structures (Structural Insulated Panels) became invaluable. The team was able to design a configuration of SIPs panels that accurately recreated the architect's complex roofline vision, as shown in these 3D models.
The site survey highlighted additional challenges
Another aspect that distinguishes Garden Spaces from other garden room companies is their commitment to thorough on-site surveys for each project. While some firms might bypass this step, opting instead for photographs or video tours, Garden Spaces recognises the importance of direct site assessment. This approach ensures that every potential issue is identified and addressed before work commences, preventing unexpected problems down the line.
With this golf simulator and cinema room project, this rigorous surveying approach was essential. The initial survey revealed a significant challenge: a water pipe running across the proposed building site. This discovery meant that the installation of the galvanised steel screw pile foundation could potentially endanger the pipe.
Addressing this issue required careful planning. The Garden Spaces team spent several days excavating the area to pinpoint the exact route of the water pipe. This information then guided the design and calculation of the floor structure and foundation system, ensuring that the water pipe would remain unaffected during the building process.
These adjustments had to be approved by the Water Board before any work could commence. Thanks to Garden Spaces' attention to detail and willingness to adapt their plans, they were able to secure the necessary permissions without delay. This challenge serves as a potent reminder of the potential complexities that can arise in any garden room project and the value of a team that can effectively navigate these obstacles.
Pitched roof golf simulator room
Creating a garden room as a golf simulator space is an increasingly popular choice for homeowners. Yet, the additional height required for a full golf swing presents a challenge that most standard garden rooms cannot accommodate. To make the vision a reality, working with a bespoke design company, such as Garden Spaces, is essential as they can create taller buildings and secure the necessary planning approvals. As we have already mentioned, in this case, the planning approval was already in place for this project when the client approached Garden Spaces.
This unique garden room, designed for golf simulation and as a home cinema, stands on an external footprint of 6.02m x 5.02m. The garden room is 4 meters tall at its highest point. This offers a maximum internal height of 3.75m. The distinctive asymmetrical roofline, with the ridge offset from the centre, adds an eye-catching visual element while reducing the imposing nature of the building.
Inside, the vaulted ceiling, essential for the client's golfing activities, creates a stylish interior space. Finished to Garden Spaces' high standards, the room features plastered and decorated walls and ceiling, and smoked oak laminate flooring. This, combined with jet-black electrical switches and sockets, enhances the room's contemporary appeal.
Natural light floods the room through 3600mm-wide aluminium, 3-sash sliding doors fitted with acoustic glazing, coloured in Jet Black RAL9005.
Externally, Garden Spaces had to adhere to the architect's specifications as part of the planning approval. The front wall features staggered Thermowood cladding, measuring 45mm x 45mm, with a 35mm gap between each piece. The cladding was painted in a natural oil wood stain in an Ebony colour, matching the approved planning application. The left side and back walls were finished in white render, while the right wall was completed using cement particle boards painted in RAL9005, matching the door frames and trims.
An irregularly shaped deck with integrated steps was constructed to lead up to the doors. This design feature beautifully connects the indoor and outdoor spaces. The deck was finished in black composite decking material, chosen for its minimal maintenance needs and resistance to slipping - an issue common with timber decks.
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With this project, Garden Spaces has demonstrated their capacity to navigate highly complex projects and bring their clients vision to life. Their experience, expertise, and innovative thinking ensure that each unique challenge is met with a viable and impressive solution. Garden Spaces does not shy away from demanding projects; instead, they thrive on the opportunity to create bespoke designs that maximise each garden's potential.
If you're considering embarking on your own garden room project and need the experienced hands of a trusted partner, then Garden Spaces is the company to reach out to.
For more information on how Garden Spaces can bring your ideas to life and truly maximise your garden's potential with their bespoke designs, please reach out to the team. They can be contacted on 0845 387 9 387 or via email at info@gardenspaces.co.uk.