Garden Library, Kent

Winning achievements
Short-listed for the RIBA Downland Prize 2006. 

The Challenge

Richard is an author of children’s books and he wanted a more secluded and peaceful space separate from his house where he could collect his thoughts and gain inspiration to write more books.

Our approach

We actually looked at two approaches. The first was for an earth-sheltered out-building dug into the garden slope and covered with grass and shrubs. The second option was for a ‘tree-house’ elevated on stilts to take advantage of the distant views. Richard chose the tree-house and we designed a timber structure that was inspired by Japanese architecture with a careful attention to joinery details.

Passivhaus principles

 The studio was designed as a Passivhaus structure with super-insulation and high levels of air-tightness. Rainwater from the sloping roof is collected and used to irrigate the surrounding gardens.

The result

The garden library is accessed via a wooden ramp and provides a spacious studio with bookshelves lining the walls and plenty of daylight from the roof glazing and south-facing glazed doors.

 
After completing the project Richard sent us this message: “Sitting here in my library with the doors open, serenaded by birdsong… It’s 21 degrees inside… Perfect! Very many thanks for your work on the project. Now that the grass and my bank balance has started to grown back I can enjoy this really wonderful working space”.

Ready to discuss a project? Get in touch today.

01273 204065
info@koruarchitects.co.uk

Studio 221, 91 Western Road,
Brighton and Hove, BN1 2NW

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