Skip to main content

No results found

Stories Web Banner 300dpi zbhmj0 s2bgqw
Living, Homes, Exteriors, Property, Country

Outside-Inside Spaces

A Garsington Garden Studio

divider
2 pdqguy

Tony and Yolande Wyer’s (wyerarchitecture.co.uk) five-sided garden studio has been what the architects describe as “a godsend” during lockdown. It houses a small toilet, sinks, storage, worktops, plus various pieces of furniture and computers to run a small art studio and office. Yolande, a painter and Sunningwell School of Art student, calls it “a very outside-inside space. You pull back the doors and you’re painting in the garden. You don’t feel you’re in a little shed or tiny study, but you’ve still got the closure and all your equipment immediately behind you.” The studio (also used for Pilates and as a greenhouse) gives them space from each other too, she adds. “It’s also good for your wellbeing because it’s got nice views, straight onto our garden and then the field behind.”

A builder completed the project in his downtime between other jobs, Tony tells us from their Garsington home, beginning last year in late July and finishing just before lockdown. A team of three working solidly on the construction, says Yolande, would take 12-16 weeks. Tony’s research into “off the peg” studios has revealed costs of £1,500 per square metre, whereas their bespoke structure (with drainage, ample electrics and internet) works out at £1,300 per square metre. “Our design costs were obviously negligible,” he points out, “because we’re architects.”

What should people without architectural prowess do though, if they want something like this for their outdoor space? “The simple answer is hire an architect,” he says. A designer could be key in the “crucial” element of orientation, whether that’s to a particular view or where there’s best exposure to the sun. They know of somebody who purchased an off the shelf studio for £13,000, with “no insolation, no electrics, no running water, nothing. With a designer, you can get a lot more for your money.”

Suppliers

Vastern Timber, Minoli, Midland Aluminium, Howdens

RECOMMENDED

lorry driver braltc
Fri 1 Dec 2023

So, spare a thought this Christmas to the unsung heroes of the transport industry whose workplace is the often-dangerous UK road network. Cut 'white van man' some slack; they have probably still got 85 more parcels to deliver and it's seven o’clock at night.

christmas gifts
Fri 1 Dec 2023

From crafty to cosy: the luxury edit

carrierefreres fgixmj
Fri 1 Dec 2023

A scented candle is never unwelcomed. From budget-conscious to blow-out, here’s our pick of the best...

Water Bowl lgnljw
Fri 1 Dec 2023

Is it soppy to buy gifts for our pets? Maybe. Does that stop us? Not one bit.