Garden Room | Culverden

Project: A new garden room overlooking Tooting Bec Common
Location: Balham, London
Year: 2014 -2020

A new cantilevered garden room replaces an outdated conservatory, generating a better connection between the kitchen and the garden.

When Carolyn and David contacted us, a dated glass conservatory dominated the rear of their home and garden. The conservatory separated their living spaces from the garden, was accessed internally from the kitchen and hall via a small door and steps, and its floor level was more than a one-metre higher than the garden. It looked tired and dated. Poorly insulated, it was uncomfortable in winter and summer.

The clients were determined to have something that could work for them all year round. But they were concerned about the look of the new extension as they wanted something modern that could relate to the existing Edwardian character and had not seen anything they liked around.

We were keen to maximise the connection with the garden and the common beyond. By partially cantilevering the structure over the garden, we could open views on three sides of the new room, maximising the visual connection with the exterior.

The unusual shape, with its odd angles, results from a rigorous analytical process. Despite its honest contemporary look, the new garden room works well with the existing building as its lines and angles come from the existing structure.

We altered the back of the main house to improve the flow between the garden room, hall and kitchen, utilising thinner steel support and internal glazing. A new strategically placed roof light draws light in to increase daylight.

Now Carolyn and David are left with a cantilevered room unlike any other. The unique dynamic shapes give them changing light and garden views to enjoy with family and friends in comfort all year round.

“ There is so much about this project that we are delighted with; we love the magical light and space that it has given us with wonderful views of our garden and the trees of the common behind, making it feel like being in the countryside. There is nothing ordinary about this project. Our garden room is full of amazing angles and triangles of different heights, from the doors and windows to the ceilings and skylight—a lovely space to spend a relaxing time in but still close enough to the buzz of our kitchen. “
Carolyn and David