Work from Home Garden Office
First Published: 25 September 2019
Refreshed: 7 November 2024
Reading Time: 3 minutes
This bespoke home garden office is by Executive Garden Rooms. Measuring 8m x 4m, the building serves as a professional workspace designed for multiple users. Notably, it has been developed to meet both present-day requirements and future possibilities.
Low-Maintenance Garden Office Design
Externally, this striking garden office features a combination of low-maintenance materials. The choice of external finishes is worth spending time contemplating, as it influences the building’s long-term appearance and the amount of maintenance required to keep it in top condition.
The clients opted for a mix of two popular cladding materials. The primary cladding is dark grey Cedral, a fibre cement board that is both durable and low maintenance. Cedral comes pre-coloured during the manufacturing process and requires no repainting or additional treatments. Available in either a smooth or woodgrain texture, the latter was chosen for this project, adding visual depth to the exterior.
To complement the Cedral, Cedar cladding was used to detail the roof soffit and fascia. The juxtaposition of natural and manufactured materials creates an elegant and balanced aesthetic. Cedar, though extremely durable, will weather to a silver-grey if left untreated. To retain its rich, natural colour, the boards were pre-treated with UV-oil in the factory. This ensures protection on all sides before exposure to sunlight. While the UV-oil needs reapplying every couple of years, the task is simple and keeps the Cedar looking vibrant.
The combination of grey Cedral and Cedar detailing is a clever design choice that softens the overall look and provides a stylish contrast.
Home Office with Kitchen and WC
Though not visible in the photos, this garden office includes a well-equipped kitchenette and a WC. The WC, tucked into one corner, features a toilet, a corner vanity unit with a basin, an electric towel rail, and an extractor fan.
The kitchenette is designed with high-end features, including a 1.5 bowl composite granite sink and an under-sink water heater for instant hot water. There’s ample storage, alongside an integrated fridge, providing a perfect setup for refreshments and snacks during the workday.
Forward-Thinking Design for Future Adaptations
While installing the water, waste, and electrical connections for the kitchen and WC, the Executive Garden Rooms team future-proofed the office by allowing for a shower to be added later. Although the current setup didn’t require one, the clients wanted the option to convert the space into a living annexe, should the need arise.
All Executive Garden Rooms are built to meet Building Regulation standards, with every element signed off by Building Control. This ensures that, with appropriate planning permissions, the office could later be transformed into a habitable annexe. Thanks to the pre-installed infrastructure, adding a shower would be a straightforward and cost-effective upgrade.
Smart Air Conditioning System
This project features an advanced air conditioning system capable of both heating and cooling. Unlike standard systems, this model includes a motion sensor, reducing energy consumption by powering down when the office is unoccupied. It also boasts Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing users to control it remotely via a smartphone app.
Comprehensive Electrical Specification
The electrical setup is particularly robust and includes:
- 8 double power sockets
- 18 LED ceiling downlights
- 7 Cat6 data points for reliable internet connectivity
- Smoke alarm for safety
- External security light and power socket
As part of their comprehensive service, Executive Garden Rooms managed the connection of the office’s electrical system to the main house supply. Their turnkey service ensures a seamless process, from design through to final installation, and this project was completed in just four weeks.
Learn More
To see more examples of their work, visit the Executive Garden Rooms website, or get in touch by calling 01202 874 766 or emailing info@executivegardenrooms.co.uk.
