Work, rest & play garden rooms
Two garden rooms in a woodland garden in Poole, Dorset, by Executive Garden Rooms: a gym and office in one building, and a small reading retreat about 25 metres away.
Executive Garden Rooms undertook an inspiring project in Poole, Dorset, where clients wanted to create two bespoke garden rooms in their woodland location. Situated about 25 metres apart, the buildings serve as a home office, gym, and a quiet reading retreat, offering versatile spaces for both productivity and relaxation.
Although two separate buildings were requested, their design retains a cohesive style that complements the natural surroundings. Constructing in a woodland area brings unique challenges, such as Tree Preservation Orders, which Executive Garden Rooms expertly navigates through detailed planning and sustainable building practices.
The two structures were completed within an efficient five-week on-site schedule, demonstrating Executive Garden Rooms’ streamlined, turnkey service.
At a glance
- The site: A woodland garden in Poole, Dorset, where an arboricultural assessment and Method Statement set out how the trees were protected during the build.
- The larger building: 7.4m × 4.4m, split by a partition into a gym with rubber flooring on a reinforced slab and an office with hard-wired internet, each with its own door in a corner of glazing.
- The smaller building: 3.4m × 2.9m, a quiet room for reading and relaxing, added by the clients late in the project.
- Exterior: Black Cedral cladding with black uPVC doors and windows, chosen so both buildings sit quietly among the trees.
- Company: Executive Garden Rooms, who completed both buildings in five weeks on site and connected the electrics from the house, including Cat6 data points, an alarm and heating.
Home gym and office space
The larger garden room, sized at 7.4m x 4.4m, is split into two distinct areas via a partition wall. The main room serves as a home gym, with a reinforced, insulated concrete slab for stability, ideal for weight-bearing gym equipment. Durable rubber flooring was also installed to offer impact resistance and provide a non-slip surface.
The gym and office spaces each have independent external access, using corner glazing configurations. In the gym, this includes opening windows for optimal ventilation. Adjacent to the gym, a dedicated office area has been fitted with a hard-wired internet connection, making remote work accessible in this secluded, peaceful setting.
The office space also features floor-to-ceiling glazing, framing views of the surrounding woodland. The interiors of both rooms feature plastered and painted walls and ceilings, along with flush-mounted electrical fittings, achieving a bright, modern look.
Cosy woodland retreat
The second garden room, measuring 3.4m x 2.9m, was designed as a quiet retreat for reading and relaxation. With Executive Garden Rooms’ high-grade, multi-layered insulation, this room provides year-round comfort, offering a cosy spot to enjoy the changing woodland views throughout the seasons.
Arboricultural assessment and tree protection
As part of constructing within a woodland, an arboricultural assessment was necessary to ensure tree preservation and careful site management. Executive Garden Rooms facilitated this by providing an Arboricultural Method Statement, detailing all essential tree protection measures for the duration of the project. Incorporating this into their turnkey service, the team ensures a responsible, eco-conscious build process.
Black exterior finishes
For the exterior, the clients chose black finishes, allowing the garden rooms to blend subtly into the woodland surroundings. The walls feature black Cedral cladding, a durable cement fibre board resistant to rot and fungal damage, with excellent fire resistance and stability. As the colour is applied during manufacturing, the cladding remains low-maintenance and doesn’t require repainting.
Black uPVC doors and window frames complement the Cedral cladding, creating a sleek, cohesive exterior designed for longevity and minimal upkeep.
Comprehensive electrical package
Executive Garden Rooms include a well-specified electrical package, which can be customised based on the building’s function. This project’s package included numerous double power sockets, an outdoor power socket, external security lights, LED downlights, Cat6 data points, a security alarm, a TV point, heating, and smoke alarms. As part of the full-service experience, Executive Garden Rooms handled all electrical connections from the main house, ensuring each room was ready for immediate use.
Client testimonial
Our two garden rooms in our woodlands are now finished and they have surpassed our high expectations. There was no slippage in start and finish date even with adding a smaller garden room into the equation by us at the last minute. The quality of the materials and workmanship are faultless. The thought and attention to detail are superb. We really are pleased and have no hesitation in recommending to the highest level.”
Learn more about Executive Garden Rooms
Executive Garden Rooms, based in Dorset, specialise in bespoke garden rooms across southern England. For more information on how they can help bring your garden room vision to life, visit their website or contact the team on 01202 874 766 or info@executivegardenrooms.co.uk.
