Garden Studio and Banya
2018-21
129
Nestled among the trees of a private garden in Hampstead, London, this unusual garden studio also houses the traditional elements of a Russian ‘banya’ — sauna, bucket shower, and plunge pool. The project was shortlisted in the Don’t Move, Improve! Awards 2023
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Designed in collaboration with interior design company Black & Milk, the building's irregular geometry came from working with the plan dictated by the trees and the steeply sloping site.
The garden had a number of tree preservation orders and was in a conservation area; obtaining planning permission was a notable achievement that required extensive coordination with ecology and tree experts.
We took measures to ensure the continued growth of the existing trees. A special system of mini-pile foundations was developed to minimise the impact on tree roots and specific offsets to tree trunks made to ensure they continue to receive enough water and have room to grow.
The garden room has large glazed sliding doors to draw light from the garden and terrace into the timber-finished interior. A large wrap-around rooflight-window to the rear provides a dramatic framed view of the extensive woodlands behind. The net effect is a building that feels immersed in nature.








Awards & Press
NLA Don't Move, Improve Awards 2023 — Shortlisted
Process
Original site condition

129.
Garden Studio and Banya
Year:
2018-21
Location: London
, UK
Category:
Private
, Workspace
, Arts
Restrictions: Conservation area
Project: 2017-19; Construction 2020-21
Team: Oliver Cooke, Francis Fawcett; Liz Ferguson, Sandra Youkhana
Interior design: Black & Milk
Structural design: Philip Cooper, Cambridge Architectural Research Ltd.
MEP design: Max Fordham LLP
Contractor: Bow Tie Construction
Photos: Peter Landers, Philip Durrant
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