Lifestyle Gardens
Outdoor Now is the time to plan how you can make the most of your outdoor space, says Emma Smith
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UnlESS yoU arE lUcky enough to have a garden flat or a roof terrace, most apartments offer little escape from the indoors. Therefore, to add tangible value to your block of flats or conversion, useable and attractive communal outdoor space is essential. However, before rushing out to dig a Capability Brown-inspired lake and purchase a pretty but, believe me, very noisy peacock, it is worth taking some time to consider what your outdoor space is for and who will use it. For example, a block of retirement flats will have very different requirements to a modern block of apartments aimed at young families. Whoever the space is for, there should be a combination of areas or zones to allow it to be used in different ways depending on the weather, season or activity. Zoning is used for interior design to maximise how an area is used, and the same concept should be adapted for use when planning exterior design and landscaping. Unfortunately, the UK is not blessed with an abundance of clement weather, so sheltered areas are important. The easiest way to create shelter is with a simple pagoda or roofed structure. These can be as plain or elaborate as your taste allows but should be big enough to accommodate a good percentage of the number of occupiers in the block. A solid roof is not entirely necessary as some quick growing climbing plants will
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There is now a trend for ‘adult’ tree houses
give adequate cover in a light shower. Integral seating or a number of benches beneath the structure make the area far more useful. If at all possible, a central table, permanently fixed, will allow the area to become an outside eating
The easiest way to create shelter is with a simple pagoda or roofed structure
or entertaining space. Wells Reclamation, www.wellsreclamation.com, based in Somerset, have a fabulous range of garden structures to create your sheltered zone. If budget, design and space allows, there is now a trend for ‘adult’ tree houses and more elaborate garden structures. By using the trees, not only are you freeing up extra space on the ground, but you add spectacular levels of interest at different heights. Blue Forest (www.blueforest.com) specialise in the more top end garden structures. Their new creation, The Eco Perch (pictured), is affordable and sustainable complying with the Caravan & Mobile Home Act. It is a prefabricated structure which can be sited on the ground or in the treetops. It is highly insulated, double glazed and fitted out in a modern contemporary design with LED lighting and A-rated efficient LPD or electric heating. There is a living/dining area, sleeping pod and bathroom. With the correct system in place, it could be ‘rented’ by the tenants when having guests to stay. At a simpler level, individual or double seating throughout your garden is important to enable the occupiers to enjoy the outside but Issue 13, Winter
Flat Living
