Ark Design/Build was recently commissioned to build a garden office in a Kent garden. Nothing too unusual here. The thing is the garden is steeply sloping - there was a difference of 1.7m between the top and bottom of the garden.
The garden had been terraced, and Ark Design/Build's client had decided to place a garden office on the top tier.
They contacted several companies about the project, but most were put off by the slope, not the Ark Design/Build team though, who relished the challenge.
Ground screws were the solution
With a terraced garden like this, the ground can be too soft for many foundation options.
Having assessed the site, the Ark Design/Build team decided that ground screws were the solution for this site. The length of the ground screw used, depends on the ground conditions, and how far down they need to be drilled to hit solid ground.
In this case, 1.5-meter ground screws were chosen. They were spaced evenly across the footprint of the garden office.
Ground screws are great because even on a complicated site like this, they can be installed in a few hours and be ready for work to start straight away on the main build.
Ground screws are spaced evenly under the building
This animation offers an idea of how ground screws are driven deep into the ground and spaced evenly under the building to spread the weight.
Turnkey project
Ark Design/Build offer their designs on a turnkey basis. They handle the whole project for you from initial design through to the final decoration.
They also include the mains electrical connection. A service that many companies ask you to organise separately.
The electrical specification is well specified. The fittings within the room are brushed steel and the package includes data cabling for reliable internet connections, as standard.
Another standard feature is heating, again often an extra with other companies.
