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The client is a retired teacher with a keen interest in gardening. The houses immediate context is of poor-quality ad-hoc additions to the original terrace. The house previously suffered from a visual and physical lack of connection to the garden, with an unsympathetic adjoining extension negatively impacting on an otherwise good orientation. 

A new set of double doors from the refurbished rear reception room leads to the south-western external terrace and garden. To the existing return, is added a simple wrap of terracotta shingles and external insulation. This new sheath projects 2.5m beyond the footprint of the original return, enclosing a small 4msq garden room and bench, it’s roof is canted to catch the direct clearstory southern light above the adjoining extension, bathing the previously dark return in attenuated sunlight. 

A flush glass window at the lower worktop level, forms a new space extending from party wall to party wall, beyond the glass enclosure, comprising the galley and the inner court. The concealed kitchen, faced in oak, continues into the garden room to room the bench and privacy screen to the adjoining property. The garden room is then conceived as end of the line, a space for one and maybe a familiar visitor, a space with a view of, rather than a route to, the garden, a veritable cul-de-sac, enclosing a moment in the day, from which to view the garden, enjoy a cup of coffee or just watch the birds.