While the plans for this garden studio were drawn up just prior to the first lockdown in 2020, Architects and Directors of Commonbond Architects, Kate Nicklin and Graham Mateer, decided it was the perfect time to push on with an experimental self-build project for their back garden plot in South East London.
Taking every aspect of the project into their own hands, from designing through to the physical build, Gardenhide became a true labour of love for Kate and Graham. Over the course of the project the duo not only utilised their expertise as talented architects, but also learnt on the go with a little help from YouTube and a lot of simply trying to figure it out on the way!
Fast forward to 2024, and Gardenhide Studio is now the winner of the the AJ Small Project Award as the People’s Choice Award. “Ambitious, experimental and unexpected”, the architects turned their focus to the breathable and bio-circular building material of hempcrete for this project. Spurred on by ambitions that looked beyond creating just another lightweight shed, this material formed the basis of “something that felt permanent and embedded within the garden.”
And embedded it certainly is. Sunken into the ground by an additional metre, Gardenhide provides an unexpected moment of delight as you descend upon entry. This smart thinking from the architects meant that views of the outside flowerbeds aligned with the top of the desk space, allowing you to feel at one with the foliage, spotting wildlife visitors while at work.
The 29.5 sq. m space is formed of two interconnected rooms. One featuring a long table with space for model making and drawing, and the other a snug. A combination of in-built furniture and restored mid-century furniture surround a log burner. The two rooms are supplemented by a small bathroom and a storage platform above.
Viewing the mono-pitched roof from the garden, Gardenhide’s diminutive features and deep overhanging eaves are what makes its spacious interiors so unassuming as they open up. Inside, both the rooms face east into the garden. With large windows glancing through the flowerbeds, complemented by high level west facing windows, along with a set of small level ‘fox windows’, providing glimpses of the no man’s land behind the studio (and the foxes territory). Positioning of the windows in the east and west allows low level light to engulf the studio, with intricate shadows casted by the surrounding greenery.
The changing light throughout the day also highlights the thoughtful design details and moments of craft within the project. Rays pick out the textured clay painted walls, and the water from the pond reflects upon exposed beams of the overhanging roof. Further strengthening the studio’s connection with its surrounding green space.
Providing insulation for the project, Gardenhide is made up of thick hempcrete walls, working as a thermal mass heat store as the sun passively heats up the building through the windows. And it’s the warm and healthy feeling this material creates within the interior that the architects were most satisfied with. “As an architect, it is such a rare pleasure to create a monolithic wall without membranes and numerous layers, this gave us the design opportunity to create something which was simple and elemental.”
The garden, part curated and part wild, was also designed by Kate and Graham. Thoughtfully laid out with tall wildlife-friendly plants and small trees that provide shade and shelter for birds. Reclaimed sandstone stepping stones through flourishing flower beds and grass encourage you to slow down as you approach Gardenhide, “a place where wildlife, the garden and the natural world are ever present in working life.”
Following the success of this experimental self-build, Commonbond plans to develop the plot further with the addition of two more hempcrete houses joining Gardenhide in the near future. A journey of learning and adapting has allowed the architects to reflect on the benefits of the project, “Self-building afforded us the time to think about everything in much greater depth than you would normally. It enables you to intuitively design things as you build them, to make prototypes, to learn a new set of skills and of course drastically cut the cost of construction.”
Project details:
Project Size: 29.5 sq. m
Location: Abbey Wood, London
Architect, Interior Designer, Landscpaper, Contractor & Builder: Commonbond Architects (Kate Nicklin & Graham Mateer)
Structural Engineer: Jack Renders – Price & Myers
Doors & Windows: Oak, Double Glazed Windows – Handmade by Kate Nicklin & Graham Mateer
Flooring: Solid English Elm – Hand Made from recycled table tops by Kate Nicklin & Graham Mateer
Lighting: HAY Large Paper Pendants from Skandium
Notable Furniture: Furniture is generally restored 1950’s / 60’s Ercol in English Elm.
Photographer: James Retief
Discover Commonbond Architect’s portfolio here.
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