Japanese Garden Room Extension

The existing house is large and of traditional construction with a kitchen in the centre of the ground floor plan. Whilst the kitchen is both attractive and spacious originally it only had a restricted interaction with the expansive garden.

Our early concepts explored a very lightweight contemporary form which cantilevered out over an integral water feature. This was later value engineered into distinct elements: enclosure, fireplaces, pond, patio and garden.

The finished design exhibits a pitched lantern lit ceiling with all elements articulated in a contemporary language complimenting the traditional house without fighting against it.

The aim of the project was to create space which: 1. Is both warm and effectively provides a ‘giant family sized’ window seat in the garden 2. Acknowledges both internal and external space in equal measure with a new feature waterfall and contemporary pond outside, and new fireplace inside. 3. Creates a new high value space, (i.e., one which is valued by the clients, not necessarily a costly one)

Resilience and economy are a major feature of this design so most elements are formed from some form of low maintenance construction, from the floating zinc roof and lantern light down to the aluminium windows, cladding and slate patio.

Annual CO2 emissions data (requested in kg/m2/year) was provided as follows: Estimated 10896.62