The Workshop
Location: Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Property type: Modern extension within conservation area
Scope: Workshop to replace garage
Size / area: Approx. 40m² new build
Budget band: less than £100k
Completed: 2023
A lightweight, timber-framed workshop that complements an Arts & Crafts home.
The clients required a functional workshop to support the upkeep of their property. The existing garage lacked architectural quality and did not relate convincingly to the character of the main house. The clients also wished to incorporate a roof form capable of accommodating photovoltaic panels as part of a wider commitment to energy efficiency. The brief called for a modest but carefully considered contemporary outbuilding that improved both practical efficiency and visual coherence.
We assessed options ranging from refurbishment to complete reconstruction, ultimately guiding the clients toward a new-build solution that offered greater design clarity and long-term value. Our involvement spanned concept design through technical detailing, including the development of the timber structure, cladding arrangement, and integrated garage door.
The workshop is conceived as a lightweight timber structure, selected for its sustainability and contrast to the original brick house. A concealed garage door maintains keeps the elevation looking clean and minimal.
The pitched roof is both functional and expressive, giving the building a defined presence while providing the correct angle and capacity for future photovoltaic panels.
The completed workshop offers significantly improved usability and sits comfortably alongside the main house. Its scale, form and detailing create a coherent relationship with the existing architecture, while the concealed door and refined timber cladding deliver a quietly confident exterior. With the roof designed to receive solar panels, the building also contributes to the clients’ long-term sustainability goals.
