Our client, an architect, wanted a dedicated home office where he could work away from the everyday distractions of a busy family home. The brief was for something distinctly contemporary and architectural rather than a conventional garden room.

The site presented its own challenges. The garden was extremely steep, with only a small 3 × 3 metre level tier available for the building and difficult access for construction.

Aesthetically, our client had a very clear vision: a pitched roof rather than a standard flat roof, bold black external cladding and a warm ply-lined interior, complemented by black sockets, lighting and fittings throughout.

The steep site meant the foundation and construction method had to be carefully considered from the outset. We designed the building specifically around the available tier, creating a secure foundation while making maximum use of a very restricted footprint.

Rather we embraced the client’s architectural brief. The pitched roof and black external cladding give the building a striking contemporary form, while the ply-lined interior and carefully selected black detailing create a warm, considered workspace. The finished room feels deliberately designed for its surroundings — a compact, highly individual garden office that successfully combines architectural character, practical working space in a challenging location.