The Potting Shed

The Potting Shed focuses on the transformation of an existing Potting Shed into a new home-office and annex. The project seeks to rejuvenate the existing building through the research & application of low embodied carbon initiatives through retro-fitting the existing building.

Situated within the curtiledge of a Grade Two Listed Cottage, in the heart of Old Basing, the Potting Shed is a 12sqm outbuilding in much need of restoration.

Rather than simply replacing the building with a new build garden room, the client's would like to restore and extend this jewel into a home office and annex for the family to enjoy. Although a simple brief the challenge faced is the connection between contemporary and existing building forms.

Rather than a pastiche approach towards the design, inspiration has been taken from the materials on the existing Potting Shed and translated into a contemporary design. Clay facade panels seek pick out the colours of the existing brickwork and tie into the existing roofing, whilst timber framed external doors and windows are proposed as opposed to contemporary aluminium glazing systems.

3D Visualisation - Front Elevation

3D Visualisation - Rear Elevation

"By researching low embodied carbon initiatives, the project is a test-bed for retro-fitting our existing building stock into contemporary homes and spaces. In a society where sustainability needs to become the forefront of conversation as opposed to a piece meal approach to design, the repurposing of the Potting Shed highlights the importance of a circular economy in design and the built environment."

Gavin Watts

3D Visualisation - Internal View

The form is simple by adding an adjacent building form to the existing to create a new gable end at the rear of the garden. Utilising a simple module, the windows, doors and area of solid walls can remain proportionate between one another whilst a linear strip roof light forms a 'top' to the building. The new addition follows the existing ridge and eaves heights of the existing building.

3D Visualisation - View from the Cottage

Existing wood work is retained to express the original appearance of the building and the existing brickwork re-pointed and repaired where required.

Internally, a new insulated internal lining is applied to the existing building to improve its thermal envelope and the new extension applies an exposed timber frame to accentuate and maximise the use of height in the space. Glazing on three sides provide extensive views across the garden, whist maintaining a usable floor plan internally.

Project Information

Client:

Provate

Location:

Old Basing, Basingstoke

Sector:

Residential

Services:

Architectural Design, 3D Visualisations

Status:

Pre-Application

Design Team:

Gavin Watts

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