Insulated workshop designed around a tree
A 6.4m × 3.66m L-shaped workshop for a family business, wrapped around a retained tree, with bench-height windows, a plywood floor and Ebony-stained Thermowood outside.
Many garden room projects are designed to meet an immediate need, but with a vision for future use. This was the case with a recent Garden Spaces project, where a workshop was created for a growing business while ensuring flexibility for the years ahead.
At a glance
- Size: 6.4m × 3.66m, in an L-shape.
- Built for: A business that had been run from the family home.
- Layout: Two 1200mm × 1050mm windows at bench height, keeping the wall space free.
- Finishes: An 18mm plywood floor, durable paint inside and Ebony-stained Thermowood outside.
- Company: Garden Spaces.
A purpose-built workshop for a growing business
The client’s business had been operating from the family home, with much of the work having to be done outside-which is challenging in colder months. The family wanted to reclaim their living space while ensuring they had a comfortable, well-insulated, and practical environment to work from. Garden Spaces was approached to design and build a bespoke workshop that met these specific needs.
Incorporating an existing tree
Measuring 6.4m x 3.66m and configured in an L-shape, the workshop was carefully designed around an existing tree that the client wished to retain. Rather than seeing this as a constraint, Garden Spaces worked with the client to make the tree a feature of the design, ensuring it remained a natural focal point of the garden.
Key design considerations
Garden Spaces worked closely with the client throughout the iterative design process to ensure the workshop was not only highly functional but also visually striking. The key requirements included:
- Durable interior walls that would withstand daily workshop use while maintaining an aesthetic appeal.
- Ample natural light without compromising on valuable wall and floor space.
- A strong, durable floor capable of supporting a heavy workbench.
- Bespoke electrical specification to accommodate specific lighting and power needs.
- A dark, contemporary exterior that complemented the surroundings.
The tailored solution
To meet these needs, Garden Spaces incorporated several bespoke design features:
- Instead of floor-to-ceiling glazing, two 1200mm x 1050mm windows were positioned to allow natural light in while leaving space for a workbench beneath.
- The floor was finished in 18mm plywood, offering a hardwearing and stable surface for work tasks.
- A bespoke durable paint was used for the walls and ceiling, providing a resilient and visually appealing finish.
- Electrical sockets were positioned at different heights to suit various equipment and task requirements.
- An Ebony-stained Thermowood exterior cladding was used on visible elevations, achieving the dark finish the client desired.
- The L-shaped footprint was carefully planned to wrap around the retained tree, integrating it seamlessly into the workshop design.
A future-proofed investment
While the immediate purpose of the building is as a workshop, the high-specification, well-insulated structure ensures that it can be repurposed in the future, potentially as a home office.
This project showcases Garden Spaces’ ability to combine functionality with aesthetic appeal while working around site-specific challenges. Their commitment to a client-led approach and innovative design solutions once again results in a garden room that is built to last, fit for purpose, and adaptable for future needs.
Learn more about Garden Spaces
To learn more about this project, chat with the Garden Spaces team on 0845 387 9 387 or email info@gardenspaces.co.uk. Explore www.gardenspaces.co.uk to see more examples of Garden Spaces’ work.
