Luxury garden room with bespoke detailing
A trapezium-shaped garden room with a shower room in Wimbledon, its street wall clad in London Yellow brick slips for planning and its garden side in slatted Western Red Cedar.
Swift Unlimited recently completed a bespoke garden room project in Wimbledon, commissioned by clients who wanted a multipurpose space that could evolve with their family’s needs. The clients had a clear vision for the building they wanted to create, but the project presented challenges-including an irregularly shaped site. Planning approval also required the street-facing wall to be taller than the others and clad in brick to match a nearby farmyard wall and the local architectural style.
Delivering a project of this complexity requires experience and skill, which is where Swift Unlimited excels. As one of the longest-established names in bespoke garden room design, their team of specialists manages the entire process, from design to completion. Their access to skilled tradespeople ensures that every material is detailed to the highest standard, making them an ideal choice for such demanding projects.
At a glance
- Shape: A trapezium to fit an irregular plot, with a partition dividing the main room from a shower room.
- Planning: Approval required a taller street-facing wall in London Yellow brick, matching a nearby farmyard wall.
- Design: Interior by architect Ninian MacQueen, with a pocket door and recessed electric curtain tracks built into the structure.
- Built for: A teenage retreat, home office and gym, built to Building Regulations so it can also take guests.
- Company: Swift Unlimited, who tested and reused the clients’ existing slab and completed the build in five weeks.
A garden room vision, a decade in the making
The clients had envisioned their garden room for over a decade. Initially, it was to be a playroom for their daughters, but as time passed-10 years to be exact-the project evolved. By the time Swift Unlimited was engaged, the daughters had grown into teenagers, and the space needed to be adaptable for different uses.
Having been let down by their first contractor, the clients turned to Swift Unlimited to bring their vision to life. Swift worked closely with architect Ninian MacQueen, known for his meticulous attention to detail. Some of Ninian’s interior design choices influenced the structural design of the building, such as a pocket door that disappears into the wall structure and recessed, electrically controlled curtain tracks.
A uniquely shaped garden room
The irregular shape of the site required a tailored approach. Swift Unlimited designed a trapezium-shaped garden room to make the most of the available space. The floor plan was divided with a partition wall, creating two distinct areas-a main living space and a well-appointed shower room-providing flexibility for the family’s changing needs.
The project began with an inspection of a concrete slab foundation that the clients had installed years earlier. Swift Unlimited arranged for the slab to be tested to ensure compliance with current Building Regulations, which it passed. From there, the team installed Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs), forming the highly insulated core of the structure. This ensures year-round comfort and energy efficiency, hallmarks of Swift Unlimited’s garden rooms.
London Yellow brick slip wall
A key requirement of this project was for the street-facing wall to be clad in London Yellow brick to match the original farmyard wall and align with the architectural character of the area. Brick slips were used, and the Swift Unlimited team paid close attention to detailing this wall, as shown in progress images.
While the street-facing elevation respects traditional aesthetics, the garden-facing side features a more contemporary look. Custom-made, powder-coated aluminium-framed doors and windows are paired with ‘hit and miss’ vertical Western Red Cedar cladding, providing a striking contrast between traditional and modern styles.
Bespoke garden room interior
The interior, designed by Ninian MacQueen, is a stylish, functional space tailored to the family’s lifestyle. It will serve as a teenage retreat, home office, and gym, with the flexibility to be used as guest accommodation, as the design complies with Building Regulations.
A key feature of the interior is the ‘hit and miss’ panelling, echoing the external cladding on the partition wall between the main room and the bathroom, creating a sense of continuity between indoors and out. The pocket door leading into the bathroom disappears into the wall, maintaining the room’s sleek design.
The shower room is one of the most stylish we’ve seen in a garden room. Swift Unlimited handled all the necessary connections for water, sewage, and electrics as part of their turnkey service, ensuring everything was signed off by Building Control.
Design brief achieved
The project was completed in just five weeks. Swift Unlimited successfully fulfilled the clients’ brief, delivering a multifunctional space that offers peace, versatility, and excellent garden views.
Learn more about Swift Unlimited
To learn more about creating your own luxury garden room, contact Swift Unlimited on 01625 875 588 or by email support@swiftunlimited.co.uk. Explore their tailor-made garden rooms at www.swiftorg.co.uk.
