The Garden Nest

The design re-imagined a 45-year-old, dilapidated end-of-garden three-bay garage into a versatile family space that reconnects the home with its wild garden. Inspired by the surrounding tree trunks, branches and leaves, the rhythmic textured façade – clad in slim-profile larch battens arranged in overlapping vertical and diagonal patterns – captures the shifting interplay of light and shadow, creating a dynamic moiré effect that evolves throughout the day and across the seasons. Inside, the vaulted ceiling – formed from thin, bent plywood spanning between the exposed timber I-joists – introduces a sense of softness and directionality, leading the eyes towards the large garden-facing windows. The curves of the ceiling are echoed in the upper section of the façade, subtly breaking up the structure’s rectangular form and grounding it lightly among the trees. On a warm summer morning, this east-facing space is flooded with natural light, with dappled shadows from swaying leaves animating the façade and flickering across the sage-coloured interior walls. At night, linear uplighting accentuates the ceiling’s curves, casting a soft, diffused glow that transforms the space into a warm retreat for relaxation or family gatherings. All structurally sound elements of the original garage – including the concrete floor slab, underground mechanic’s pit, and blockwork perimeter walls – were retained, minimising environmental impact and waste while honouring the structure’s history. The precise and resourceful detailing elevates everyday construction materials, resulting in a building that feels tactile, honest, and harmonious. Designed to support a variety of daily routines, the building offers a calm setting for work, play and retreat – an extension of the home that feels deeply connected to the garden and family life.