Bespoke Garden Studio and Landscaping, Bathford, Bath

The garden studio retreat, showcasing the open plan interior set against the landscaped exterior.

The Studio, Bathford: A Study in Architectural Artistry and Precision

The Studio project involved the demolition of an existing outbuilding to create an adaptable, contemporary retreat. Designed as a standalone structure that affords uninterrupted light to the main house, it serves as a sleek, restful space with a profound connection to its landscaped surroundings.

Structural Sophistication & Material Interplay

This build was defined by high-definition detail and significant "hidden" structural engineering. Our goal was to maintain a minimal, elegant design while executing a complex pier and lintel construction that references the heritage and architecture of the main property.

  • The Building Envelope: We utilised a technical palette of natural limestone contrasted with a high-specification, standing seam zinc roof.
  • Sustainability: The structure features a sedum "living" garden roof, providing natural insulation and ensuring the building blends seamlessly into the landscape when viewed from above.
  • Handcrafted Timber: The cantilevered canopy features beautifully handcrafted cedar detailing, a hallmark of our in-house carpentry standards.

Dissolving Boundaries: The Glazing Strategy

To achieve a "sculptural interplay of solid and void," we installed dual-aspect, frameless glass doors. These aluminium triple-column sliding doors dissolve the boundary between the studio and the garden, allowing for a free-flowing transition onto the specialist porcelain patio and structural retained garden walls.

Technical Specification

  • Construction: Demolition of original outbuilding and bespoke new build
  • Roofing: Standing seam zinc with integrated sedum garden roof
  • Glazing: Triple-column aluminium sliding doors with flush thresholds
  • Detailing: Handcrafted cedar canopy and sculptural limestone piers
  • Programme: Targeted 9-month delivery with integrated landscaping

The Result

The Studio stands as a testament to the fact that quality is found in the smallest details. By balancing visually heavy limestone with recessed, lightweight glazing, we have created a modern retreat that honours the Sage Quality Constant in every joint and threshold.

"Our aim was to create a sleek and restful retreat with a strong connection to the landscaped gardens—an adaptable space that blends seamlessly into the landscape."

View from the garden into the open-plan interior, showing the "interplay of solid and void".
Open-plan studio interior flowing seamlessly into the garden via frameless glass doors.
View across the landscaped patio towards the sculptural limestone walls of the studio.
The garden studio retreat, showcasing the open plan interior set against the landscaped exterior.
Outdoor dining area on the porcelain patio with the studio's sliding doors fully open.
Close-up of the cedar canopy with recessed lighting for an elegant evening aesthetic.
Clean architectural lines where the zinc roof meets the cedar-clad soffit.
Technical detail of the slim-profile aluminium corner post and frameless glazing.
External corner of the cantilevered cedar canopy with integrated LED lighting.
Wide view of the sedum garden roof, designed to limit the structure's visual impact.
High-definition shot of the standing seam zinc ridge and clean roof geometry.
Transition from a contemporary porcelain patio to structural limestone garden walls.
Upward view of the beautifully handcrafted cedar detailing on the studio’s cantilevered canopy.
Minimalist dark external door integrated into a cedar-clad wall section.
Close-up of a standing seam zinc roof featuring an integrated flush-mount skylight.
Clean interior finish showing a bespoke window sill and minimalist window frame.
Minimalist interior skirting and flooring detail showcasing Sage's attention to detail.
A structural limestone pier referencing the architecture of the main house.
High-quality local limestone masonry showcasing the "visually heavy" textural contrast of the build.
Sustainable sedum "living" roof surrounding a modern roof light on a garden studio.
A recessed aluminium door track providing a seamless, flush threshold to the garden.
Detailed view of the sharp, clean lines of a standing seam zinc roof edge.
Precision-engineered zinc roofing detail on a bespoke contemporary studio.
Detailed masonry work featuring a recessed shadow gap between stone and glazing.