The field of architecture is interconnected with flooding issues in several ways. Architects play a vital role in designing structures that can withstand the impact of nature and ensuring resilience in communities.

This photo study explores the rural town of Betsw-y-Coed, Wales, where flooding is captured. The storm caused a disruption in the town’s infrastructure resulting in a complete halt of transportation and isolating the town from the outside. What can be seen is resilient and flood resistant materials in key parts such as natural rocks, concrete and metal used to direct the flow to adequate run offs zones. Building placements have been strategically placed far away from runoffs and designed around the natural green infrastructure of the embankment, accepting the inevitability of future flooding and erosion of their land.

It is interesting to observe the reevaluation of potentially harmful materials from a fresh perspective, and the resilience of this small town in Wales appears to be quite remarkable

All photos taken by Corben on 35mm film

By Corben

Here we showcase some of our garden rooms, none of which required planning permission, even in conservation areas!

There are a few parameters and a restrictions, but these featured garden buildings were all covered by the same permitted development as a garden shed! Our largest to date, built in the garden of Mr & Mrs Smith, is 60 sq meters and has a WC, shower, hot tub and enough space for yoga or a gym. Here we see the exterior of this project, the ‘Yoga Dojo’.

the yoga dojo // photography by french + tye

Intended to be a place for the practice of yoga and meditation it provides a distanced and calm retreat from the busy home. The building is highly engineered with precision detailing throughout and forms three main spaces connected visually through the building’s design and physically through the continuation of materials.

Yoga dojo // inside //photography french + tye

Garden rooms can be hugely varied in both scope and design. In stark contrast to the above, our Greenwich Garden room has a more rustic feel. Still containing a WC, the room was more focussed on home working than home relaxing, however it created a very relaxing place to work!

greenwich garden room // photography by french + tye

The compact outhouse transformed a cramped rear garden into a courtyard and provides a garden studio for a writer in South London. Working from home has suddenly become the reality for millions of people around the globe. Walking out of your house into an entirely separate useable space, with protection from the elements yet still in the seclusion of your home boundary, has become an increasingly tempting option for many. As the outbuilding are usually designed and built from scratch, they can be customised entirely for the needs of the family, whether it be homeschooling, a place to work, work-out or relax.

greenwich garden room // inside // photography french + tye

Maresfield Outbuilding is also built under householder permitted development. This highly engineered structure floats under the tree canopy on a concrete raft only 200mm thick with insitu exposed concrete walls. The copper roof gives the building a refined elegance that is visible from the upper floors of the house, fulfilling the brief that the arial view of the garden had to be beautiful.

maresfield outbuilding // photography by french + tye

Mainly used as a place to exercise this garden room keeps bulky equipment away from the main home. Music can be played without disturbing others and it saves on the annual gym subscription for years to come!

maresfield gardens // exterior // photography french + tye

Garden studios are a great way to add useable space to a family home. So much more than a posh shed (but with the same building rules) studios can be thermally efficient ensuring they can be used throughout the year. Studios provide a striking focal point for any garden and can be blended into the landscape using materials that match the style of the exterior and landscaping at your home. Natural or modern finishes and high specification glazing can be sure to add the wow factor. Whether you are looking for a place to entertain guests, a cover for outside dining, or just a retreat from the general buzz of family life a garden studio could be the perfect solution. We can design you a useable, flexible space that fits in with whatever your family needs.

Resilience In Architecture

Garden Rooms That Don't Require Planning Permission.