As versatile as mono-pitched garden rooms are, it always excites us when we get to explore buildings that have an apex roofline. The pitched roof adds so much to the character and feel of the building.
This contemporary garden office with apex roof is by Ark Design Build. A toilet and small kitchenette have been fitted, to make the office self-contained from the house, futureproofing and increasing the usability of the space.
A quick look at the features of this pitched roof garden office
6m x 4m garden office
At 6 meters wide by 4 meters deep, this is a good-sized home office. The pitched roofline creates a lovely vaulted ceiling inside the office. The high ceilings only increase the feeling of space. Working from a garden office with vaulted ceiling myself, I can testify the extra height does create a room with that extra wow factor!
The exposed roof beams add character to the otherwise modern room. The Ark Design Build team plastered and decorated the interior. Mixed with the wooden floor, a light contemporary space has been created.
At it's tallest point, the ridge, the office is 3.8 meters high. To build a similar office under Permitted Development rules, you would need to site it at least 2 meters from any boundary. Otherwise, you would need to apply for Planning Permission.
Lightweight slate-effect roof tiles
The office has a beautifully tiled roof. The Ark Design Build team have used a lightweight slate effect tile called Tapco. They are made with plastic but really do have the colour and appearance of natural slate. The big bonus is that they weigh much less than slate, and cost less too! The tiles have a lifespan in excess of 40 years.
High spec aluminium doors and windows
The grey colouring of the roof covering has been replicated in the finish of the doors and windows. The Ark Design Build team have installed high-spec, powder-coated aluminium doors and windows in the office. They really are worth the upgrade from uPVC!
A casement window has been fitted on the end wall, with the main glazing on the front wall in the form of a wide set of bi-fold doors. The doors fold to the sides, opening up onto a grey composite decked veranda.
Low maintenance Thermowood cladding
The exterior of the office has been clad with Thermowood. Thermowood is a low maintenance cladding option. The timbers are treated at high temperatures to create a board that is resistant to rot and fungal attack.
When new, Thermowood has honey-brown colouring but left untreated it will weather to a lovely silver grey colour. This does not affect its long term durability; it is just what happens as the face of the board is exposed to UV-light.
Garden office with toilet and kitchenette
We are seeing more and more garden offices being fitted with a toilet and kitchenette, making the building self-contained from the main house. The way that the Ark team have partitioned off the W.C in one corner with the kitchenette on the other side of the wall, is a clever use of space, not stealing much space from the main room.
The Ark Design Build team handled all the groundworks involved in connecting the toilet and kitchenette to the mains services, as part of their overall project.
A turnkey project
Ark Design Build built this garden office as a turnkey project. They handled all aspects of the build on their client's behalf. This service included installing the ground screw foundations, connecting the electrics and internet connection and the plumbing for the toilet and kitchenette.
Ark Design Build focus their work on London and the South East of England.
