This is no standard garden annexe building; it has been cleverly designed to so that it maximises the space available in the garden. As bespoke design specialists, Executive Garden Rooms approach each project individually and create a building that works for the space available and the intended use.
Five sides and no 90-degree corners
Executive Garden Rooms were commissioned by their clients to create a high spec, self-contained home in the garden for one person. An area away from the house at the end of the garden was chosen for the project.
The boundary fences alongside the site for the garden annexe are not set at 90 degrees. If a regular square or rectangular building were built, there would be 'dead' space behind the annexe. This is not ideal. To overcome this, Executive Garden Rooms designed a building that followed the lines of the boundary fence and as a result, maximises the space available.
The resulting building is five-sided. None of the wall intersections is set at a standard 90-degrees! It takes skill to design and frame a building like this, but the extra space it gives you inside the rooms is worth it.
The result is 30 square meters of modern living space. As we can see from the images, the angled walls have not compromised the living space at all. Externally, the angled walls have given the annexe extra character.
A quick look at the features of this garden annexe
Planning permission handled as part of the project
As with all living annexes and garden rooms that will be used for overnight sleeping accommodation, planning permission and building control approval were required for the project.
We get a lot of enquiries from buyers worried about the planning process. If you work with a company like Executive Garden Rooms who offer a turnkey service, they will handle the planning application for you as part of the overall service they provide. They will also liaise with the local Building Control Department and ensure that all work is signed off by them.
One person home in the garden
The 30sqm annexe that Executive Garden Rooms have created has made a comfortable home for one person. The main room is open plan and has been 'zoned' to define cooking, dining, living and sleeping space.
A half-height wall has been cleverly positioned to define the bedroom area. The single bed has been placed behind the wall, with the sofa butting up to it in the living area. This arrangement means that the bed is not immediately visible as you enter the annexe.
The kitchen has been positioned in the recess created alongside the shower room and airing cupboard. Again, another clever use of space. The kitchen units have been arranged to create a seating/eating area at the end of the run.
Pressurised water system
The garden annexe has been fitted with a pressurised water system. Executive Garden Rooms recommend a 125-litre system for their self-contained annexes. Installing a pressurised system will ensure decent pressure in the shower and no risk of the water pressure reducing if someone turns on a tap in the kitchen while you are in the shower!
The modern shower room features a large shower tray with glass panel and feature tiling. The room is completed with a toilet and large basin fitted in a useful vanity unit. A high-level window lets light into the room.
The pressurised water system has been discreetly fitted in an airing cupboard. This will be a useful addition to the annexe. The photos show it pre-shelves, but it will offer valuable storage for bedding and laundry. Plumbing has been fitted so that a washing machine can be plumbed in at a later date.
Groundworks handled as part of the project
Some garden annexe buyers get caught out when they find that the groundworks needed to connect the shower room and kitchen's plumbing to the mains supply are not included in the project. This is not the case with Executive Garden Rooms projects. As part of their turnkey service, they handle both the groundworks and the connections to the mains supply for water, waste and electrics for their clients. They also have these connections signed-off by Building Control.
Contemporary rendered exterior
The exterior of the annexe has a contemporary feel thanks to the 'off white' rendered walls and grey doors and windows. The front and left-hand walls have been rendered and then painted, while the non-visible walls have been fitted in Cedral weatherboard. Cedral is a low maintenance, cement fibre board which is ideal on walls that are not easy to access.
The aluminium doors and windows are a lovely shade of grey called Sensations Desert Grey. It is so lovely to see something different from the typical Anthracite Grey! They look great against the off white walls.
This custom design, high spec garden annexe cost £52,000, which is excellent value.
