With more of us now working from home and spending large amounts of our time in the ‘same four walls’, having our own space to retreat to is more important than ever.
Noel Marshall, owner of Eden Arc, considers the benefits of investing in a unique, elegant, garden room, with a stunning signature appearance and high specification finish.
Q: What is the story behind your eye-catching, curved garden rooms?
A: I had been working in the city for over 25 years and got to the stage where I was wondering what to do next. At the same time, we were having work done on our house and I started to consider what might replace an old garage. I wanted something with curves on the corners, as there are no right angles in nature, and started to work very closely with a carpenter on solving the problems that building something like that creates. I have watched far too many Grand Designs programmes, and particularly like the Huf Haus concept, where something is created to an incredibly high level of engineering, with much of it built off-site. I started to consider how we might build an immaculately made garden room under controlled circumstances and deliver it quickly.
Q: Why invest in a garden room?
A: We are all spending more time at home, and realising we need more space. We have three options; buy a bigger house with the headaches that moving house creates; build an extension, which is hugely disruptive, takes well over a year and costs considerably more than you budget for. Or get an Eden Arc; you don’t need planning permission, there is no disruption, you have a new space with a multitude of uses, and in under three months you can have something that is truly beautiful and adds considerable value to your property.
Q: What can a garden room be used for?
A: When we started the design, it was meant to be a gym, but then we suddenly found ourselves working from home and it became more relevant to repurpose the space as a home office. I still have to build another one for the gym and my son is also learning to play the drums and we definitely think we may build the small version as a music room, well away from the rest of us! Because they are safe, warm, and have wifi they are perfect for someone running a small business: as a yoga studio or treatment room, perhaps. The options are endless.
Q: What can a garden room include?
A: When I looked at other garden rooms, many were basically clunkily built sheds that did not have any of the extras I wanted as standard. Our rooms are not only aesthetically pleasing but include everything in set pricing such as electrics: concealed floor mounted sockets, lighting, underfloor heating, exterior sockets etc. Double-glazing; attractive, flush threshold aluminium bi-folding doors; exquisite slip-resistant, high-end Italian ceramic tiles and incredibly effective, very sustainable, sedum roof and all round sheeps wool insulation, as well as final internal decoration with a choice of high-end quality paint colours. We also offer variations in flooring, heating and lighting to suit various owner requirements, uses and budgets.
Q: How long does it take to build a garden room?
A: This really sets us apart from others. At Eden Arc, we have a six-week lead time and then up to two weeks on site. We make large parts in workshops, then clear and cover the site. We are self-powered; can work in all weather conditions and also ensure we decorate, clad and fully finish within the two weeks.
Q: What gives your garden rooms their beautiful, sculptural appearance?
A: We build on very light, elegant stilts, so the whole building floats above the ground. This also increases the insulation dramatically and ensures there is zero chance of water ingress. In addition to the curved shape and abundance of glass, our highly engineered chassis is clad with sustainably sourced cedar and larch wood. This is treated to lock in the colour and create a wonderful variety of natural shades and textures that change appearance in different lights. The garden room has a grass roof, featuring several varieties of sedum, which not only adds another layer of insulation and soaks up 50 per cent of rainfall, but also looks wonderful all year round providing a butterfly and bee friendly environment.
For more information visit eden-arc.com, call 01737 735111 or email info@eden-arc.com.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here