The Garden Room

Text description provided by architect.

We were commissioned to transform an existing 2-car garage into a place where the residents could retreat and enjoy the garden. On top of that, the need for a covered parking space remained.

This creates a U-shaped patio that radiates a southern atmosphere through the flamingo-pink flagstones and vegetation.

The new vine planted against the old facade provides a beautiful, natural connection between old and new, especially during the autumn months when the leaves turn red.

By dividing the rectangular floor plan of the new volume diagonally, more space was created in the garage on the street side, freeing up extra space for bicycles.

The rear was optimally used to provide the widest possible perpendicular view of the garden at the back from the garden room.

The garage door is covered in the same material as the façade, making it invisible. The front of the garden room was fitted with two beautiful windows. A large window at street level was concealed by allowing the aluminium cladding to continue in the form of a claustra.

Inside the garden room, a consistent use of finishing and materials was chosen. Both the interior walls, the ceiling and the joinery have the same wooden trim.

This accentuates the spaciousness of the room. The indirect lighting on the street side enhances this spaciousness through its verticality. The connection with the existing house was minimised by the installation of a sliding door with the same wooden finish.

A double-leaf door gives access to the garden and also provides an easy passage from the street to the garden.

We were inspired by the famous cellar room in Villa Livia, where Livia Drusilla could enjoy wonderful frescoes of nature scenes, hidden from the rest of the house.

As nothing can match the real beauty of nature, this design was given a real connection with nature, the sun and daily life through the many large window openings.