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The ordinary-looking home with an unexpected treat in the tiny back garden
The ordinary-looking home with an unexpected treat in the tiny back garden
'If you've got a small space you can still do amazing things with it'
Definitely not your standard back garden extension
(Image: J B Construction & Carpentry Wales Limited )
If someone says they are getting an extension in their rear garden surely most people instantly envisage a large, single-storey kitchen diner or a two-storey extra wing. But if your garden is a cute courtyard what then?
The answer could be an extension inspired by this truly unique extra room that is a very unexpected find within the tiny back garden of a home in Penarth where every square centimetre of space has been carefully thought out.
The extension has been constructed within a small space but that makes a huge impact and, thanks to clever design and high-end craftsmanship, offers the lucky owners two extra and enticing spaces that fully utilise the compact garden area available. For more home and property content sent to your inbox twice a week sign up to the property newsletter here.
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James Beaton from JB Construction & Carpentry Limited
(Image: JB Construction & Carpentry Limited )
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Builder and master carpenter James Beaton from company JB Construction & Carpentry Wales Limited said this most quirky of extensions had created a workshop on the ground floor and a roof terrace on the first floor overlooking the park and described it as "a funky one" – and surely once you get to grips with what has been created here you are in total agreement.
While many building companies might have walked away James and his team were left excited rather than daunted after that initial site visit.
It was a compact space that had a unique set of challenges
(Image: J B Construction & Carpentry Wales Limited )
James said it was a quirky build – one that saw it through to the final of the Federation of Master Builders Cymru Awards – but one that he thoroughly enjoyed. "When I stepped out into the garden it was obviously a small space but I could see it, visualise it in my head, and thought: 'Right, we can make this work'.
"It was about maximising the garden area – making the most of the little space and making the architect drawings by Richard Andrews become a reality – and it was a challenge.
"It was never going to be the biggest workshop, especially with all the homeowner's tools and everything in there, but he was very much aware of that and we were all very realistic of what was going on in there.
Building the space for the spiral staircase had to be millimetre perfect
(Image: J B Construction & Carpentry Wales Limited )
" The shapes, the angles, the space to work in, doing all the curves, but making the spiral stairs fit in order to maximise the space for the workshop next to it was the biggest challenge – i t was literally to the millimetre so we really took our time on it, went over it with the client, moved a few things around, added on a few things. It was a tricky one."
The homeowners were living on site while this workshop and roof terrace masterpiece was being born and for some companies that might have been a negative but for James he was very happy householder Harold was right there and involved.
The curved wall is a feature but was also a challenge
(Image: J B Construction & Carpentry Wales Limited )
James said: "I t was going to be his workshop – it's his passion as well, creating and craftsmanship, and so he loved getting involved.
"We would chat every day especially regarding the circular cladding around the spiral staircase, talking through making sure that would work."
As well as the tight space for the spiral staircase up to the roof terrace the interior look of the workshop, with the curved wall adjacent to the external spiral staircase, was another aspect of the build that was quirky but has made this space very special.
Light from the bifold doors is joined by clever hidden windows between the wall and the ceiling
(Image: J B Construction & Carpentry Wales Limited )
James said: " I've done a few curves before but as this was internally the homeowners didn't want any plasterboard – he wanted a workshop to have an industrial look to it so we added layers of six-millimetre ply, because it's a flexible ply, to wrap around and make the curved wall.
"It was probably one of the trickier parts especially as I had to notch it all in between all the ceiling joists using measurements of a curve to make sure it could bend around.
"It was a challenge but it's those little finishes and attention to detail are what sets this project off."
The roof terrace starts to take shape
(Image: J B Construction & Carpentry Wales Limited )
Access to the small site was also a hurdle to overcome.
The team couldn't go through the house and instead had to go through the public park and use the garden's small back gate which meant it was sometimes "a bit of a headache" but nothing James couldn't work with.
The new spaces have a lot of features to find and admire including a living roof on the first-floor deck that softens the harder materials of brick, glass, metal, and plastic as well as framing the view out over the adjacent park from a lounger or bistro dining set.
James was not on the roof with a packet of seeds encouraging the foliage to grow and add an instant strip of garden though. He said: " The living roof is a tray system so you buy the trays, put them, in position and click them in.
"It was designed so it would grow up and over the gutter a bit just to give that extra outdoor feeling on the roof terrace."
The living roof was an added visual bonus
(Image: J B Construction & Carpentry Wales Limited )
If you have a small outdoor space and think it has no potential James has some advice – rummage around online to find inspiration on how other people have transformed tiny areas and pinch the best bits.
He also advised thinking about going up, even if it's not an enclosed storey, to keep costs down and said a roof terrace is the perfect option to make use of the space without adding much more to the build.
Finally, if required, find an architect who shares – and can add to – your vision and understands your requirements.
Now the project is done, dusted, and loved by the owner James looked back at the experience and said: "I enjoyed it because I do a lot of extensions, renovations, and loft conversions but this was completely unique and I thrived on it.
When it was completed everyone was thrilled
(Image: J B Construction & Carpentry Wales Limited )
"I was over the moon with the finish, had a great rapport with the client, and although it went on slightly longer than planned it was worth those extra few weeks – to make it around 12 – to get it done to the highest of standards. Now no-one will ever have a workshop quite like that – it's totally unique to that space.
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"When it was finished I was really happy with it and so were the owners.
"They have the best of both worlds – husband Harold can relax in his workshop and then the wife can relax in the sun on the roof terrace. Two different forms of relaxation and a great result."
You can follow James on Instagram @jbconstructionandcarpentryltd and for more home content, including products, join our Amazing Welsh Homes Facebook group here.
