Garden Office Blog

Inhabit Innovation

Inhabit Innovation

By Francesca McGlone on 4th September, 2010

The desire to seek shelter is an essential element of survival; however the energy and thought that is concentrated into a space in order to make it personal and homely seems to be an innate preoccupation. As youngsters we often designate spaces as our own, whether they take the form of secret outdoor dens, tree houses or private bedrooms; as masters of fantasy, children can transform the interior of a space into a palace or castle, with the use of make-shift props, demonstrating a disposition towards domesticity.

Dwellings have appeared in all forms through time and place, as protection, incubators and magnets for community. The rounded base of a tepee is inspired by the circles that appear within nature; its inclusive shape means that interaction is promoted and a warm atmosphere is created. From early caves to mud huts, igloos to tepees and skyscrapers to bungalows; the shape of shelters are interpreted according to various climates and cultural influences.

The landscape often dictates the structural shape of dwellings, as the stilt houses along the Malaysian coast are suspended above the flood waters, creating a string of leggy structures dominated by a watery environment. The surroundings of a building can account for a considerable percentage of its character and ambiance. An environment characterised by foliage, hills or water can be incorporated into a structure’s make-up in varying degrees, existing subtly on the fringes or integrating and becoming a feature of a property.

Cave homes still exist but have evolved from the first cave dwellings. The hilly landscapes of Spain provide the perfect environment in which to carve cool spaces. A front wall is added to the hollow space, where rooms are inserted and separated by thick walls. Nature is married into the architectural design, just as a garden studio lends nature’s beauty in order to showcase a revolutionary paring.

Earth houses are another example of complementary design that evokes a sense of innocence and utopia, associated with hobbits and childhood icons. Burrowed into the ground; an earth house is covered in a blanket of grass that hugs every curve, while exposing a front complete with full size windows and doors. The design boasts a small ecological footprint, as warmth is conserved, rather than lost through the air. Decorated Shed mimics the environmental inventiveness of the earth house by offering garden studios installed with high insular performance flooring and windows, as well as the option of a planted roof system, as the garden almost clasps the studio and sprinkles visual appeal. The qualities of an earth house are reworked into a conveniently placed space.

The city of Djenne in West Africa is famous for its sun baked mud-brick houses. The smooth and rounded corners of each building produce a city that seems to have been dipped in velvety chocolate, resulting in shelters that have distinct character and unique charm. Decorated Shed provide a range of designs that complement any garden setting, as well as bespoke designs which are influenced by the creative vision of a client. The garden studio has arisen due to the inspirational canvas of the garden, which acts as an already beautiful base on which to place an innovative structure, where quality moments can be housed.


Category:  Garden Studios

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