The new Heating revolution for your Garden-Room

Infa Red heater in garden room

Last year we wrote a blog-piece about heating your garden-room & ran through several heating systems for modular buildings and the traditional heating solutions available. Naturally, as with any other room in the house, a garden-room does require a heating source and we’re continuously looking for new and efficient heating systems which can reduce our clients energy consumption and compliment the beautiful space. Over the course of the last 12 months we’ve been introduced to a new and revolutionary heating system which has fast become one of the primary systems we are now installing for clients who have invested in Granny Annexes, spare guest bedrooms, home extensions, garden-room offices and eco-lodges on their property.

If you’ve not come across this system before, you certainly need to; as the most efficient form of heating available today, the cost savings alone are significant (we’re talking pennies, not pounds here!) and the health benefits are worth taking into consideration.

A favourite photograph – rendered onto the heating panel within the garden-room

What is Infrared Light/Infared Heating?

Infrared light is the reason why we feel warm when the sun is shining upon our skin on a cool day. Conventional wisdom would suggest that if the air temperature were cold, then you too would feel cold. However the infrared waves emitted by the sun travel unimpeded through space, and warm any object they hit, including your body.

Infrared is a form of electromagnetic radiation that sits just beyond the red end of the visible light range of the electromagnetic spectrum. We often hear the word radiation and then automatically associate it with being harmful, but in fact, radiation is just a process of energy emission. Just like visible light radiation, infrared radiation is 100% safe.

How does this compare to traditional heating methods?

Conventional heating in the home works by warming up the air around people and objects; so for instance a radiator does most of its heating through air movement directly around it which circulates around your garden-room; often stirring up dust and reducing the air quality. As the hot air begins to cool down it drops down back to the floor level. This cold air gets heated again and this process keeps repeating itself – this is known as convection heating.

InfaRed heating is referred to as ‘radiant heating’ and, put simply, radiant heating heats solid objects directly rather than heating the air. Since you are heating a surface area of the building rather than a volume, this infers a smaller heating capacity requirement if you go with infrared hence you can get away with a lower wattage.

Panel 1.1m high x 1.3m wide heaters – sited on the wall – smaller panels and mirrored panels are also available.

Another key benefit of radiant heating is that when you turn off the heat source it takes far longer for the space within your garden-room to cool down. If the heater is warming an object with a high level of thermal mass (such as a large item of heavy furniture or a wall) This object will then slowly release this heat back into the room long after the heating has been turned off.

If infrared waves come into contact with humans, they will travel about an inch into the body providing a feeling of deep heat, but even if you are not directly in the way of the waves, any solid body will vibrate when the waves hit them, causing them to radiate heat back towards you. If you’re using your garden room as a garden-office and are spending all day sitting at a desk, our suppliers inform us that infaRed rays promote circulation and boost your immune system.

There are also no direct emissions associated with using electrical infrared panels (and if you use them in conjunction with solar panels you get 100% emission free heating).

Is this the optimum choice for your Garden-Room?

– Our clients get the benefit of ‘custom printing’ on panels – so, the panel can be hung on the wall like a canvas, with a printed image of your choice

– Reduced energy consumption, thereby reducing your energy bill significantly

– Healing and Health – we’ve linked to a few sources here citing the perceived health benefits of InfaRed:

http://www.chimachine4u.com/fir2.html Japanese InfaRed Medical Facts

http://infraredtechnologies.co.uk/health-benefits Infared Technologies Health Benefits

http://www.livestrong.com/article/149715-benefits-of-infrared-heat/ Livestrong – Benefits of Infared Heat

http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/health-benefits-of-far-infrared-therapy/ Global Healing Centre

http://farinheat.com/benefits/ Farinheat, Health Benefits of InfaRed Heating

Of course, this is one of the numerous systems which can be intergrated into a Rotunda Roundhouse Garden-Room so if you have any questions relating to a project you’re embarking on please give us a call and speak with Joanna or Philip on (0161) 222 3350 or email us

The benefits of a circular garden-room

As a fanatical advocate of the power of the circle and emphatic roundhouse enthusiast within the garden-room industry over the last few years I’ve lost track of the innumerable benefits being in the round can bring. After years of gathering both research and feedback I’ve compiled/condensed a list of the six benefits which are at the top of the tree when it comes to understanding what makes a roundhouse so special.

(Black Elk) (December 1863 – August 19, 1950) was a famous wičháša wakȟáŋ (medicine man and holy man) of the Oglala Lakota (Sioux)

Benefit no:1

GARDEN-ROOM ERGONOMICS Being in a circular space lends itself well to (a) smaller spaces and (b) group activities. The large, circular double glazed roof-light dome in the centre of the roof perpetually infuses the room with light, this bounces off the walls (and combined with the permanent horizon-effect of the top of the wall as it meets the ceiling) creates a roomy and open space in which you and your guests will settle into, and circulate naturally within. Furniture slots easily into the round and can be used to sub-divide the space in clever ways which would not be considered in a rectangle.

Benefit no.2

RESOURCE AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY As any mathematician or physicist will surely point out, the sphere is the most efficient shape in nature. Encapsulated within the circle is the largest amount of space vs surface area. For this reason, the circular form of construction we have adopted for our modular garden-rooms reduces the amount of materials required (to produce the same floor area of a comparable rectilinear building) by approximately 30%. In addition, heating requirements are dependent on the surface, secondary to volume; once the room (volume) is heated and fully insulated, no additional energy is required and having less surface area (walls – and of course corners!) reduces energy leakage. This makes a round garden-room a super energy-efficient building.

Benefit no.3

THERMAL DYNAMICS movement of the air within the building. Poor Air quality in a building is devastating to human health, and the air inside the average home is estimated to be three times more polluted than the air outside. It’s therefore vital that we are considerate of the materials we use to build garden-rooms and ventilate our buildings accordingly.

Air circulates naturally in the round and the double-glazed dome in the centre of the roof provides an excellent platform to allow the warm air to circulate upwards in the building and then drop down in a column once it hit’s the cool surface of the dome. Circulating without the need for mechanical intervention

Benefit no.4

CIRCULAR ENERGY MOVEMENT / ESOTERIC You may not be a believer in Feng Shui but have you ever noticed how certain rooms or buildings affect your mood? Do some spaces feel cramped and drain your energy while others make you feel energised? The majority of our clients can feel (as I do) the surge of uplifting and invigorating energy when stepping into a Rotunda garden-room. I often laugh with clients about the fact that I find it impossible to be in a bad mood in a circular building – these little buildings make me happy; I can’t explain why. The Chinese believe the universe consists of “chi” which is the energy that flows between the earth and the people. Feng Shui experts suggest that, since energy travels in a circular form, you should soften the corners of a room with plants to add life and assist the energy with continuing in a circular motion. We say scrap that, just eliminate the corners!

Benefit no. 5

ACOUSTICS Being in the round brings people together – a Roundhouse is wonderful for gatherings, and a large percentage of our clients have used their garden-rooms as rehearsal rooms or spaces to sing and dance. Now, we’re not suggesting that the Rotunda is an ideal recording studio (it’s probably not!) as circular rooms can sometimes distort sound and energy waves in strange ways (particularly domes – there is of course the famous whispering gallery in the dome of St. Pauls Cathedral where you can whisper to the wall and it can only be heard by a listener diametrically opposite!). BUT for performing and playing acoustic instruments with groups, and for rehearsals with friends, being in the round is just wonderful. The feedback we’ve had so far is that the sound quality in Rotunda is beautiful, from the inside, it amplifies sound beautifully and when outside the building, it’s practically soundproof (so, good news for the neighbours too then!). Music is the second most popular activity in a Rotunda (after therapy).

Benefit no. 6

The ‘Rotunda’ Cathedral Roof This is the only garden room in the UK with a roof quite like that jaw-dropping cathedral feature roof with naturally oiled or stained timbers running up to the (over 1m in diameter!) double glazed polycarbonate circular roof-light dome. The roof only adds to the uplifting vibrancy of the room and is undoubtedly one of the most captivating features showcased on the garden-room market. One client recently stated that her cathedral roof “leaves as much space again the head (higher-self) as most buildings do for the physical body”. Well, that’s certainly true!

Even though each and every Rotunda is unique to their intended setting and use (and loving owner!), they will usually be sought out by creatives, the innovators and the healers (that’s you!) because creativity is what makes us human, and I believe a large part of the human psyche LOVES being in the round. Try it if you haven’t already, step inside a Rotunda for a moment and I assure you….. you’ll soon understand. It’ll come as no surprise to you I’m sure that our Rotundas are installed for use as:

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Over 50%– Therapy Rooms (art therapy, music therapy, yoga, meditation, psychotherapy, prayer rooms, energy-healing spaces)

roughly 20% – Music Rooms (the acoustics are out of this world for group sessions and gatherings)

roughly 15% – Garden Offices (entrepreneurs, especially creatives)

roughly 10% – Classroom / Workshop / training space (spiritual workshops, training days, eco-projects)

roughly 5% – Accommodation/self-contained lodges (this is on the rise… we are now installing bathrooms and kitchenettes and working with rural hoteliers to boost their revenues with the roundhouse experience)

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So, if you’ve stumbled across our site, looking for your perfect garden-room I would imagine that it’s not difficult to see why an unobtrusive, environmentally sympathetic contemporary roundhouse might very well suit your project!

This list is by no means exhaustive, please feel free to drop us a line and we’ll happily chat to you about the numerous benefits a Rotunda could bring to you and your garden!

Enjoy the sun!

What defines a treehouse?

Money doesn’t grow on trees… ?

Is the treehouse the perfect ‘Revenue Generating Asset’ for hoteliers and glamping aficionados?

We’re regularly getting calls from beautiful rural sites up and down the UK looking for that perfect revenue generating asset, an investment which brings a steady revenue, a fast return on investment and a spectacular asset to retain for decades to come.

Not surprisingly, the treehouse has become one of the most desirable outdoor structures available and it’s not difficult to see why. Trending television shows and the ever increasing dissatisfaction with the old fashioned caravan or B&B room; families and young professionals are seeking adventure on their weekend breaks (albeit in a convenient, affordable and well-appointed weekend package!).

Treehouses are the stuff of magic and adventure, childhood memories and fairytale dreams. We understand exactly why these elements are making them one of the most exciting investments available in the UK to the rural hotelier.

If you were looking to expand your business and buy a treehouse in the UK, there are a handful of exceptional tree-house builders and treehouse manufacturers who could come to your aid. Such companies can design to your vision, craft impeccable fairytale buildings on-site supported by tree surgeons and technical experts and provide without doubt the “creme de la creme” of the treehouse world…

……at a cost!

This cost-revelation is usually when the first-time tree house investors stumble back a little and think carefully about releasing the staggeringly enormous capital required which may exceed their entire mortgage in one hit.

Of course there is a DEFINITE plus side where the revenue is concerned; some tree-houses are generating a revenue of +£400 per night so it’s not difficult to see how the humble treehouse can dramatically increase a hoteliers revenue (if they’re a 5* hotel); but what about the rural B&B’er who would like to offer the magic and luxury but would prefer to capture a more diverse range of clientele and charge their guests circa £150 per night?

Return on investment is of course a primary driver when it comes to deciding which type of outdoor building you might decide to invest in for a generous return which is running in-line with the capital outlay invested. Woodland cabins, shepherds huts, roundhouses and yurts are enough of an attraction to assist with the diversification of the offering of a rural hotel or B&B and require a faction of the initial capital investment to get things up and running.

But a Yurt isn’t a treehouse!

Precisely. Numerous glamping havens may be promoting all manner of structures which are unique and desirable in their own right, but might still be yearning for that luxury tree house and are wondering where to turn if the budget is restricted, the tree types not adequate or are keen for a quick set-up with minimal fuss.

Help has arrived! Cabin manufacturers in the UK (ourselves included) have been working with clients to elevate their existing timber-framed structures on platforms which lift the timber-framed luxury lodge up to the tree canopy.

The process of affixing to living trees is no longer necessary, but does this still make a treehouse a treehouse?

We would say YES! Absolutely, as long as you’re elevated and nestled up amongst the trees for a magical weekend experience, the building is still a tree house. The dictionary definition of a tree house is:

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tree house

noun

: a small house that is built among the branches of a tree for children to play in

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Well, let’s work with you to allow your guests to experience what life is like amongst the branches of the trees, recapture the magic they had as children and reduce some of the capital outlay for you to get started gently without breaking the bank on the first unit!

Remember, the Rotunda is (a) leasable (b) re-locatable (c) a sustainable building and (d) a revenue generating (and magical) asset which could bring you a return on your investment in less than 24 months.

So, call us if you’d like to discuss the options available to you, discuss how we could all benefit from spending more time amongst trees, and see if we can encourage the growth of your glamping business at the same time!

Space Planning in the Round

One of the most common questions we receive is undoubtedly “How do you arrange furniture in a round room?”

This is of course one of the most challenging and interesting parts of designing exclusively in the round and we’ve spent the best part of half a decade passionately working on the sub-division of circular lodges to create ergonomically workable spaces which are not only infinitely more attractive than box-like rooms but work to maximise efficiency and aesthetics.

Creating rooms within a roundhouse is just as simple as adding a wall, either a flat wall which comes out perpendicular from the outer radius, or as a curved stud-wall which runs parallel to the external wall. Either way, it’s all possible, if you have the know-how!Above is an example of how one might utilise a single 6.5m external diameter Rotunda as a holiday lodge or luxury rural hotel suite.

Of course, if you’re looking to provide your guests (or additional space for yourself for that matter!) with a little extra space, combining two (or more) units together presents the perfect opportunity of a multi-purpose lodge which may contain a seperate kitchen and living space.

Combining units together can start to work against budget and/or energy restrictions so a simpler way of increasing capacity would be to extend the walls out and enlarging the outer radius to create ‘wings’ which can be sub-divided into bedroom and bathroom spaces.

But of course, a blend of the two concepts works to create a holiday lodge like no other – adjoining ‘pods’ and extended bathroom ‘wings’ creates a super-lodge with the irrefutable magic of a Rotunda but the functionality of a family sized log cabin.

These are just a few of our designs which have accumulated over the years, we’re regularly updating our clients with new designs and offer a free initial concept design service to all of our enquirers who are genuinely looking for a unique holiday lodge or self-contained annexe. Please do call us to arrange your site survey so we can sketch you vision out as a 3D concept model to see just how the round can work for you!

Looking to buy wooden yurts? Look no further!

yurt

jʊət,jəːt/

noun

noun: yurt; plural noun: yurts

a circular tent of felt or skins on a collapsible framework, used by nomads in Mongolia, Siberia, and Turkey.

Have you been searching for the timber equivalent to the increasingly popular canvas Yurt?

Are you a charity, social enterprise or a not-for-profit organisation looking for a multifunctional space which can be used and constructed by volunteer groups, students or events?

Are you a glamping/camping site or rural hotel looking for a building which provides you with a swift return on your investment and works to boost your revenue and diversify your offering to your guests?

You might have just found what you’re looking for. Here are a few reasons why you should buy wooden yurts (& how the Rotunda might actually blow that canvas equivalent out of the water and provide you with a solid investment) which support you, your business and your activities for decades to come:

– Winter-proof. A timber-framed circular building has year round appeal, the winter is just as enjoyable as the summer in a cozy well-insulated and well designed building which can support classes, recreational activities or overnight accommodation throughout the depths of winter. There’s no need to take it down in the winter, the canvas yurt requires regular maintenance and can’t really be utilised effectively in the winter season thus reducing your revenue capabilities between October and March. The Rotunda could boost your winter revenue significantly providing you with the option to provide an enviable indoor experience over the festive & winter period.

– Lease-ability. Did you know you can lease a commercial building? If you’re wondering how you might be able to lessen the burden on your initial capital outlay, leasing might be the option for you. We work with several finance companies who can offer short and long term leases on these functional little timber buildings.

– Scale-ability. It’s worth considering that your business or holiday park might have a change in clientele or use over the course of the next few decades. Yurts and cabins are wonderful stand-alone units but if you were considering increasing your offering and extending the size of your lodges to family friendly buildings or larger rooms for training centres, therapy suites and conference rooms then Rotundas can be combined to form larger buildings with link corridors.

– Longevity. The average yurt might last you five to ten years with regular re-proofing and maintenance. A fully insulated timber framed building (wooden yurt) or lodge would have the longevity of a timber framed dwelling! We use locally sourced Larch Cladding on our buildings which has an extended lifespan (the resin content is so high that the Scots use this timber for boat building) of over 40 years. The recycled post-consumer recycled plastic slates most commonly supplied boast a 100 year lifespan.

– Functionality. Rotunda Modular Buildings are bright, spacious buildings and have a cathedral roof which extends up to a central roof light dome. If using a building for yoga or accommodation, utilising one with a minimum eaves height of 2.4m increases the functionality and provides you with much more space to incorporate bunk beds, high level cabinets and furniture.

– Flexibility. Modular timber-framed buildings like Rotundas are infinitely flexible; you have the option to re-locate your building at any point in the future.

– Self-assembly kits and/or community involvement projects. We’re a social enterprise and our core belief is that a wooden yurts should be available to all, especially other social enterprises and charities who are working towards an environmental or social objective. We’re now working with several other organisations to provide the structural panels with or without external or internal finishes for self-assembly/construction in conjunction with local tradesmen, family and friends and volunteers. This can greatly reduce your capital outlay and provide a fantastic hands-on project for everyone to get involved in! We can assist you with fund-raising material and provide you with assembly instructions and the support of our installations manager who can guide you and your team each and every step of the way.

I’m sure we could chat to you forever about the endless list of advantages a wooden yurt or timber-framed recreational building can bring you and we’re available to guide you around our show model in Cheshire should you wish to discuss your vision further.

So if you’re in the local area, get in touch, let’s put our heads together, think outside the box, have a coffee and chat Roundhouses! We’ll soon identify how they can benefit you, your recreational activities, your charity or business.

Are we Pods, Sheds, eco-lodges or Summerhouses?

This blogpost came to me today whilst researching key words for the website. I’m not sure how, but this past year I’ve managed to miss the staggering array of ambiguous descriptions there are out there for garden buildings; and indeed, how our outdoor buildings are defined – in particular, the grey areas where say a “shed’ becomes a “pavilion”! Today I came across the most well-used terms: lodge, hut (irritatingly the Rotunda has indeed been referred to as a “hut” by several individuals and I have not yet found it within myself to forgive this), garden house, eco-lodges, garden-pod, garden cabin, cabins (in general), garden offices, barns, garden-studios, summerhouse (what about winterhouse? Why has no-one coined this one?! That’s a better description for a real garden room), pavilion and… yes, (the ubiquitous) pod. Only very recently, to my horror, did I discover a product described as a ‘solid yurt’ constructed by a British shed company. This, incidentally, was absolutely not a yurt (it was an octagonal shed); yurts are and always have been circular. To those of us who are deeply passionate and somewhat obsessive about circular buildings and their history, it’s nothing short of building blasphemy! It’s just wonderful to see the imagination and passion which is now infiltrating the garden buildings industry and the humble shed has given rise to features on George Clarks Amazing Spaces and awards on “Shedworking”. Eco-Lodges and Log-Cabins are now straddling the domestic homeowners market and luxury british holiday destinations and of course Yurts and bell tents are still at the forefront of the Glamping Scene (although they’re popping up in UK gardens all over the place at the moment as therapy rooms, outdoor classrooms and meditation spaces!) Of course, there is only one garden building called the “Rotunda” (which incidentally, is exactly what it is) and of that we’re immensely proud.

The Benefits of a (Green) Sedum Roof

Sedum: a widely distributed fleshy-leaved miniature plant with small star-shaped yellow, pink, or white flowers, grown as an ornamental.

A green roof is any roof that has substrate and vegetation growing over a waterproof layer. Green roofs can be found in many different sizes and shapes. Commonly green roofs are extensive which means they have a thin lightweight layer of soil covered by hardy drought resistant plants such as a sedum roof.

Below are FIVE REASONS why the Green Sedum Roof is our all time favorite roofing application!

– Helping our local insects and providing a safe haven for bees.

Whilst green roofs do not directly replace ground-based habitats and are not part of a ground level ‘green corridor’, they can be thought of as green ‘stepping stones’ for wildlife, and, if well planned, can cater for a variety of flora and fauna unattainable on traditional roofs.

What makes a Sedum roof so remarkable is that it actively assists with the maintenance of bee population numbers by providing a wealth of flowers and other plants which might otherwise be bereft in that area, particularly if it is an urban environment where greenery is sparse. In addition to helping the bees, the sedum roof also assists a number of other beneficial creatures including butterflies and birds.

– Improved Air Quality

The sedum plants on green roofs can capture airborne pollutants and capture CO2. The temperature moderating effects of green roofs can reduce demand on power plants, and potentially decrease the amount of CO2 and other polluting by-products being released into the air.

– Retention of Rainfall (less stormwater run-off)

In summer green roofs can retain 70-80% of rainfall and in winter they retain between 25-40%. This is because Sedum roofing systems store rainwater in the plants and growing mediums and evaporate water into the atmosphere. The amount of water that is stored on a green roof and evaporated back is dependent on the growing medium, its depth and the type of plants used.

– Energy Conservation by improved thermal performance

Heat losses through the roof must be minimised if you’d like your garden building to perform over it’s lifetime and keep you warm through the depths of winter without worrying about rising energy costs. The thicker and more thermally efficient both your roof cavity insulation and your roofing materials are the better. A green or sedum roof not only acts as an insulation barrier, but the combination of plant & soil processes reduces the amount of solar energy absorbed by the roof membrane, thus leading to cooler temperatures beneath the surface. Most roofing materials and membranes can be broken down over a period of time due to UV light, restricting their lifespan. It has been found that the protective layer of soil and greenery over the roofing membranes ensures that your roof has an extended lifespan whilst benefiting the environment!

– Aesthetics

It can’t be denied; a green roof is beautiful. Sedums are the perfect plants. They look good from the moment they emerge from the soil in spring and continue to look fresh and fabulous all growing season long. Many are attractive even in winter; and a rooftop covered in a heavy green carpet of life is refreshing and innovative!

If you like the idea of having a green roof fitted on your Rotunda Garden Room please do get in touch – we have one week left of our *FREE ROOFING UPGRADE* offer which means you could have a sedum roof entirely free of charge!

A link to the offer can be found here: https://rotunda.co.uk/special-offers/

On the right footing… foundation types for garden rooms

Have you been wondering about which type of foundation system might be right for you and your garden room? If so, you’re not alone; we’re asked on a daily basis about the wide array of options discussed with groundworks experts and we have several of the preferred types to highlight for you as a reference:

Solid Concrete Slab This is the preferred option for most Garden Room Suppliers and Groundworks Professionals alike, it’s quick to prepare, it’s the most solid foundation system available and is wonderful for the Garden room installers but the one downside is that this system is not very environmentally friendly. Concrete slab foundation systems are normally formed to the same external diameter of the garden room and a minimum of 100mm thick. A client of ours has just had her slab installed in advance of her Rotunda arriving and an example of it is shown below:

Average cost for a 4.5m diameter Garden Room £1,500 – £1,950 —————————————————————————————————————————————————–

Swift Plinth and Eco-Base Foundation System

This is a neat little system which supports the Rotunda on a dozen or so ‘feet’ which are small recycled concrete ‘pyramids’ sitting on top of plastic eco-grids which are 1m x 1m in size (which are set about 10cm down in the soil and packed with hardcore or gravel) at load-bearing intervals around the perimeter to support a timber sub-frame.

I think of this eco-grid system as the equivalent to the Eskimo tennis racket shoe used to avoid sinking down into snow! This means, less concrete, less digging, less time and more flexibility (ie: each footing has an adjustable bracket). The company which provides these also create the plastic grid system which you may have seen used as temporary car-parks in fields and rural areas. The footings themselves are a little expensive though and this system does require a timber sub-frame which would elevate your building up by another 20cm or so. This isn’t the cheapest option, but is probably the most time and energy efficient.

(Average cost for a 4.5m diameter Garden Room £1000 – £2500) —————————————————————————————————————————————————–

Foundation Block Foundation System The most commonly used system we’ve encountered to date and it comes in at a lower cost than the above options but is more labour intensive and involves a lot of digging. Essentially, holes are dug-out to a depth of between 80cm and 1 metre at regular intervals (spaced out every 40cm to support floor joists) and then foundation blocks built up with cement and hardcore to provide solid ‘pillars’ which support the building. The blocks must protrude at least 10cm from the surface area of the ground to provide air-flow underneath the building.

(Average cost for a 4.5m diameter Garden Room £800 – £1400)

All of the foundation systems mentioned above should also utilise full membrane systems both above and below the footings, to protect the timber elements of the building resting on it and to prevent growth of vegetation coming up from below.

Of course, each and every foundation system available is hugely dependent on the site location, the soil type and gradient of the land. It’d be best to check with a local groundworks contractor before deciding on installing any type of building on you property and obtaining several quotes to ensure you get the best deal. If you’re ever in doubt, feel free to call us at Rotunda (0161) 222 3350 and one of our joiners will be able to assist over the phone or pop over and give you some advice as part of our non-obligation site-survey service!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Above & Beyond: Eco Furnishings

Today we were tasked with a slightly unusual request; – To source a high quality, ethically made, circular rug to feature in the centre of a client’s 4.5m Rotunda, “Roundel”. We enthusiastically obliged, excited at the opportunity to further our research into Eco furnishings to suit our Eco garden buildings.

It’s not uncommon for us to receive enquiries for bespoke furnishings for Rotundas, and it is one of the most exciting aspects of offering such an innovative garden room as it opens up so many opportunities to source creative alternatives to the bog standard fixture and fittings. What is even more fantastic is that because the Rotunda is such a beautiful and ethical piece of craftsmanship, it inspires our clients to rethink their usual furniture options and instead seek out pieces that reflect the quality of their garden building, often opting for natural and Eco alternatives.

After a bit of research into environmentally friendly rugs we came across ‘rag rugs’ which are usually made from cloth scraps, old sheets, and up-cycled t-shirts. Due to the nature of the materials, the finished result is colourful and intricate, and looks both beautifully simple and yet strangely complex; not unlike a Rotunda. It was immediately clear that this fantastic example of Eco furnishings was the perfect addition to a circular Eco-building.

Once we had confirmed that the ‘rag rug’ concept was one to be pursued it wasn’t long before we not only found a wonderful craftswoman who makes beautiful, large rugs from organic cotton, but also the perfect design to suit Roundel’s spirit. The circular Eco rug, is crafted from a long braid of fabric that spirals outwards to create a mesmerising pattern of colour and texture. The particular creation which caught our eye transitioned from warm yellow to light teal creating an image of a golden sun radiating out into a clear sky which we thought mirrored the ideal view through the central dome of the Rotunda’s cathedral roof beautifully.

Misty Mint & Golden Yellow Sun Rug handmade by Laury from eco company Green At Heart

As a modular buildings manufacturer we could easily refuse to offer any kind of soft furnishing advice and many companies in our industry believe firmly that their obligations extend no further than providing the base building; even a paint finish is considered an optional extra. We believe that Rotunda is more than just an Eco building and that we are actually creating a full space that enriches the lives of those who use it; if this calls for us to go above and beyond then we are happy to accept that challenge.

If you are interested in developing your own Rotunda space with us then please don’t hesitate to get in contact and begin your journey to creating your own creative solutions in the round.

A spot of glamping; anyone?

glamping

noun

British informal noun: glamping

a form of camping involving accommodation and facilities more luxurious than those associated with traditional camping.

“glamping is likely to satisfy any city slicker seeking a little refuge in nature—without foregoing any of life’s luxuries”

If you go down to the woods today, you’re sure of….. another glamping site!!

The trend for UK glamping first showed up at Glastonbury in 2005 with the moneyed and the stars wanting to enjoy the festival weekend but not have to wade around in the mud and spend the night in a damp flappy tent. It’s not hard to see how images of the boggy fields of Glastonbury may have put many people off a camping and since the term “glamping” (glamorous camping) was coined, the trend has been surging in popularity.

The Glastonbury festival’s 5* Glamping “Camp Kerala” described by Vogue magazine as “unquestionably one of the most glamorous places to be in the UK” has been growing in popularity over the past few years, albeit only among those who can afford the £8,000 price for a weekend in a shikar tent, originally designed for use by the maharajah of Jodhpur and filled with Rajasthani furnishings and duck-down duvets. Gosh!

By 2011 there were over 150 Glamping sites scattered over the country and the trend is set to continue.

As much as we might gasp at prices of the infamous Camp Kerla, glamping makes a lot of sense. Being outdoors is good for us, environmental psychologists have been writing papers for years on the life affirming benefits being out in forests. Most city dwellers like to escape the densley packed smoggy urban environment to experience a weekend out and unplug from the fast paced reality of ‘normality’.

The problem that glamping is so clearly solving is that until recently there have only been two options – camping or b&b accommodation. The middle ground has now arrived! The creativity shown by both the glamping sites and the manufacturers of glamping pods and self-contained accommodation units is just wonderful, the dizzying options of huts or tents to inhabit are just staggering; to name but a few are:

Tipis, Bell Tents, Yurts, Shepherds huts, camping pods, wigwams, safari tents, gypsy caravans, treehouses, up-cycled buses and train carriages, igloos.. (got you there!) no, not igloos (but I wouldn’t be surprised if an ice-hotel did open up in this country).

Here’s a short description of some of those:

Yurts are portable Mongolian dwellings made from a circular wooden frame covered with felt, with the frame including wall sections and door. Yurts normally have large living areas, usually include indoor heating and often have indoor cooking facilities too.

Tipis are Native American conical tents, and like yurts usually come furnished and fully equipped – check individual listings for details.

Wigwams are also Native American, but domed in structure, and can be wooden or canvas. Like yurts and tipis, they can sleep from two to six or eight people.

Camping pods are curved wooden structures with double glazing and wool insulation. Most sleep two adults or two adults and two children, with family pods also available on some sites.

Lodges are often the height of camping luxury and a good option if you’re camping in a group. Lodge parks can include camping pods but can also cover camping cabins, camping huts and shacks:

Shepherd’s huts are similar to camping pods, with many restored from original shepherdy dwellings and some are insulated.

Gypsy caravans have soared in popularity in the past couple of years, with old wagons fully restored for old-style glamping.

… Now, this is amazing, but really, what if your family doesn’t do well at being squeezed into a bell tent or a wigwam? Quirky is good but a safari tent is still a tent. Does this mean the outdoor holiday must still be restricted to the summer months?

There’s one really fabulous building which isn’t yet on that list (have you guessed what it is?!) and of course, that’s the…. Rotunda!

We’re been speaking with rural hoteliers and glamping sites all over the UK about the benefits of having a temporary eco-building in the round which would not only provide an unforgettable experience for all who enjoy it, but is flexible enough to add additional units on and expand bedroom space if larger groups made up a large part of their clientele. Log Burning Stoves, hot-tubs, underfloor heating, mosaic tiled bathrooms and beautifully designed compact kitchen units can all be incorporated as part of the package.

Lease agreements are available to trial the unit prior to purchasing them outright and they’d bring a steady of revenue to the outdoor retreat centre or glamping site over the winter months; which is when most sites experience a shortfall of visitors. Win win!

Each and every one of us at Rotunda Living C.I.C. are looking forward to a winter escape with our families in a luxury Rotunda (it’s a regular day dream of mine!) and judging by fantastic conversations we’ve had with dozens of glamping sites requesting further information (on how they can be the first to provide the most innovative luxury lodge available to their guests!); the dream is quickly becoming a hard and fast reality! Smashing! We’ll stock up on some firewood then…

Until then…. enjoy your weekend!

Blogpost written by Gemma

Size Matters: Tiny Houses and why living smaller is better.

rotunda tiny house environment eco-classroom garden room

Over the last few decades we have been bombarded with slogans and messages informing us that ‘Bigger is Better’ and encouraged us to believe that happiness, success and even value are directly associated to size. This thinking is also applied to our homes. We often use the size of our abode as a physical representation of our success, and forget what our actual living requirements are, for example if you live alone and spend most of your time out of your house, do you really need those additional four bedrooms?

Thankfully more and more people are starting to break the mould and a large movement has formed supporting the creation and development of Tiny House Living, which encourages people to reassess their actual spacial needs. By drastically reducing the amount of house space available, people are being challenged to really consider the design of their environment; leading to some highly creative and very clever solutions being found.

There are also a number of other benefits of swapping your mansion for a small cabin house;

Easier Maintenance

A smaller house means smaller repairs and less general maintenance and upkeep. What’s more a number of tiny houses are constructed from timber, recycled materials, or natural building products which are much easier and cheaper to repair/replace.

Less Time Cleaning

Even an empty room can get messy and dirty! A smaller space means less time can be spent on keeping it clean.

Saves Money

A smaller house is cheaper to build, cheaper to buy, and cheaper to run! Insurance, utilities, and taxes are all much lower for smaller properties which leaves you with more of your hard earn wages to spend on enjoying yourself.

Less Debt

As mentioned above, a smaller home is much cheaper which also leads to smaller mortgages, or in some cases can be built without a requirement for a mortgage at all!

More Land

Even if you haven’t got acres and acres of land, the smaller the footprint of your house, the more land you’ll have around it. This opens up more opportunities for growing your own produce, keeping chickens or bees, or even just creating a beautiful outdoor space to enjoy.

Closer Family Bonds

Smaller spaces mean more interaction between family members and strengthen family bonds. Of course it’s still important for everyone to have their own space, but with some imagination and a little bit of smart planning, the possibilities for creating a unique area for each family member are endless.

Easier Resell

Affordable houses are always more attractive to the housing market than expensive ones. With so many people struggling to find the funds for homes, being able to offer a quirky, more affordable option makes it highly desirable.

In addition there are also huge environmental benefits as having a smaller footprint also means; less resources spent, smaller carbon footprint, and less impact on the environment. Combining the small house design with an eco build such as straw bale, timber framed, earth bag, or cob is an even more sustainable option.

Tiny Houses can be made from the most unlikely of things too; from shipping containers to pre-fabricated units, metal silos to traditional wooden gypsy caravans. And just because it’s small it doesn’t mean it has to be ugly or low quality, in fact being able to spend less on the building itself means you could have extra to really splash out on the interior.

A shift in perspective…… windows in a modular building

Noun

window – a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

Our clients are often surprised to discover that their modular building windows are made to order, handcrafted by a local joinery firm who excel at detailed bespoke joinery and create a stunning curved sill which mirrors the external curve of the building.

Each and every garden modular building which leaves our workshop has had the windows designed to be suit a particular view or purpose, sited at the appropriate distances from each other and a specific size to suit our clients vision for a building they’ll be spending a great deal of time in.

The importance of having this option cannot be underestimated. Building in the round brings the unique advantage of being able to ‘rotate’ your Rotunda and play with the position of the doors and the windows which is quite impossible with a rectilinear counterpart.

Most contemporary square or rectangular garden rooms boast a fully glazed frontage, either bi-fold, sliding doors; or UPVC casements. This is wonderful if your garden-building is sitting squarely in the rear of the garden with no view of particular interest anywhere other than the front but what if one were siting their garden room adjacent to a field, meadow or sea-view to the rear/side or even a full panoramic setting – must they exclude certain views because these happen to be at the ‘back’ of the building? Does the door always have to be at the front? How creative can one be with a rectangle? Let’s face it, a box will always be a box.

Fortunately, for us, this never presents a problem; you see, the round is like a clock-dial. A wonderful opportunity presents itself when we can move the hands to any direction we might choose, or even better have as many hands as we like, pointing in every direction. One of our clients aligned her Rotunda with the directions of the magnetic compass points to meet her feng shui objectives. We commissioned some beautiful little ‘north, south, east & west’ carvings and positioned these little plaques along the internal roof-line to represent compass points and indicate which direction one may be facing as they move around within the building. Another client has asked us to design a Rotunda with double glazed windows positioned all the way around the whole perimeter of the building. Most of our clients have a hedge or a fence they’d like to keep out of view so we position the windows to align with the view.

Not the view aligning with the windows!

“The Burrow” a 4.5m Rotunda modular building which you can see below (currently being constructed) has just three floor to ceiling windows positioned as a bay configuration next to the door. This is just a small example of how windows can make a massive impact. Your view, your building and ultimately it should be your ideals and your vision which can be interpreted, designed, created and installed to suit your needs…… perfectly.

Below is a list of standard UK window sizes… these are a great starting point when considering what size might suit your Rotunda modular building.

• Window heights are 450mm, 600mm, 750mm, 900mm, 1050mm, 1200mm, 1350mm and 1500mm (17¾in, 24in, 29½in, 35½in, 41¼in, 47¼in, 53⅛in and 59in).

• Window widths are 488mm, 630mm, 915mm, 1200mm and 1770mm (19¼in, 24¾in, 36in, 47¼in and 69¾in).

Essentially, our ‘standard’ windows which form part of the package for a Rotunda are 900mm high and 630mm wide with the option to upgrade to full height (1500mm high) but with the right amount of imagination, you can disregard these sizes and make your own size, to suit you, to suit your garden and to suit your activities within the building.

Call us now if you have any questions relating to your preferred modular building window configuration and we’ll be happy to chat through your designs!

ps. fear not, a UPVC window, will never (ever) find its way into a natural, timber-framed Rotunda modular building.

Until then, enjoy the sun & enjoy your garden!

Blogpost written by Gemma

Rotunda Living – Discovering the Spirit of a Space

A few months ago we relocated our main offices from a beautiful rural space in the Cheshire countryside to an industrial estate just outside of Stockport. Whilst it was extremely sad to move from working in the warm, creative space of Luna, our show model Rotunda, we knew that is was the right thing to do as it also gave us the opportunity to grow our manufacturing unit as well as having the facilities to add more people to the Rotunda Family.

In true Rotunda style we had to have the most unusual unit available, and this came in the form of a converted roof-space at the back of the estate, overlooking a green bank of trees, flowers, and shrubs; Even though we were out of the countryside, we still found ourselves a lovely view. The office itself had been the showroom for a fitted furniture company, and whilst the craftsmanship of everything was extremely high, the heavy black wood coupled with the bare magnolia walls gave the rooms an imposing, straight edged, monochromatic atmosphere that definitely didn’t suit the softer, natural curves of Rotunda. Nevertheless, like a Rotunda, it had boundless potential to become anything we desired.

Several weeks passed and we were finding it really difficult to connect with our environment. Things were moving along smoothly enough, but there was still a sense of being unsettled, as though everything was only temporary. Finally we decided we had to make some changes and spent a week painting, clearing, and re-organising the office. The transformation was profound, and we instantly felt like we were in a place where we could thrive, but there was one more step we felt we needed to complete; we needed a proper energy space clearing.

The event took place on a Sunday afternoon when there would be no distractions, and lasted well into the evening. We were fascinated to watch as all of the negativity from the previous occupants was dispelled and the walls were infused with powerful Rotunda energy. The next morning it felt as though the entire building had breathed a giant sigh of relief and suddenly the space was alive. It was as though the very spirit of Rotunda had moved in, and even though we had found ourselves in a square environment, the power and embodiment of living in the round had managed to transfer itself into the office.

We have always been astounded by the number of testimonials we have received from clients, expressing the life changing effect that being in a Rotunda has had on them. We believe very strongly that every Rotunda is its own unique entity and our clients have always confirmed that there is indeed a very special energy, completely distinctive to their personal round space. It has therefore amazed us that this ‘Rotunda Effect’ is so strong, we have been able to apply it to a square building. Having spent so much time in the office before the transformation we were able to immediately recognise the difference.

It is important to recognise the skill involved in understanding space, particularly in clearing it of any imprints left by previous occupant. We have been fortunate to work with renowned architect and professional space clearer, Beverly Wood, who has already metamorphosed a number of client’s lives just through her work with their environment. It is worth noting that not every space clearer is legitimate and we thoroughly encourage anyone considering this practice to do their homework before committing to it.

We know that we are still only at the start of our journey developing the office into a true, creative Rotunda environment and our next challenge will be creating the actual furnishings. However, we are excited that we now have a clean, and positive canvas on which to work.

Blogpost written by Rhiannon Webster

Round Garden Rooms: The ultimate creative space

Creative Space – Rotunda Garden Room

This blogpost almost didn’t appear today… I have been suffering from a baffling case of writers block and despite the numerous nudges from our SEO professional and the never ending blog-worthy subjects that have popped into my mind over the last few weeks my creativity had just disappeared! Then, moments ago, I opened a book to wind down for the evening and my creative spark alighted!

Creativity is a delicate creature. Some may say that my creativity is in the spaces I create with my clients; in fact, the birth of the ‘Rotunda’ garden room was a deeply creative process (whilst pregnant and idealistic!) wishing to create round sanctuaries which would benefit both the environment and the human experience.

To be creative isn’t a process which can just be switched on and off like a light switch, and yet, how do musicians and artists manage to work on their creative arts on a daily basis? Perhaps they don’t, perhaps they too need to take a few days or weeks out to re-calibrate their creative minds!

I’ve always maintained that being in the ‘Round’ (whether in a circular garden room or in a yurt) seems to amplify the energy of those activities taking place within it. The years in which I spent working in a roundhouse were without doubt the most productive of my life. Coincidentally, we moved into a rectangular office earlier on this year and I am not enjoying it half as much as I enjoy the round. The buzz seems to be missing; although we are busier than ever it’s a functional and serious busy rather than the excited uplifted feeling one experiences in the round!

Over the last 12 months I’ve been noticing the correlation between all of our clients and how they use their Rotundas… the overwhelming majority are using their round garden room as therapy rooms, meditation rooms, yoga or spiritual purposes. A large percentage are utilising them for arts/music and creativity whilst others treat their Rotunda as a secret hideaway and spare guest bedroom for surprise visitors . The very last few are used as garden offices and one is soon to be used as a family home.

So, creative spaces, therapy rooms and meditation or yoga studios are at the very top of the list….

It is no surprise to me that the calming and uplifting energy of the round is attracting those of us who wish to enhance their ability to heal and create – the cornerstones of our human essence. It would appear that creatives and healers appreciate the benefits that energy and form can bring to your life when everything around you is oh so terribly and absolutely square.

Rhiannon (our business development manager) and I sat down with some dulux colour charts and chose bright vibrant greens, deep oranges and pinks for the rectangular office; this is our first step towards making our space as creative, uplifting and vibrant as possible, irrespective of the unfortunate rectangular shape! We’ve realised that to have a creative space one must rely on colour if not form! (We shall post photos on facebook next week for those of you who follow us on there!)

A creative space is vital, for all of us as human beings. If you have a desire to enhance your creativity or would just like to maintain your current activities in an uplifting and uncluttered space, the Rotunda may be the space in which to thrive.

If you’d like us to design your creative or therapy garden room space for you please do get in touch, we only have two installation slots left for 2014!

…….Let’s create!

Blogpost written by Gemma

Small garden? Get round it!

rotunda living bespoke garden room eco-pod design

Small garden? Get round it!

Let’s face it; not everyone has an enormous garden! But how does one get around the fact that permitted development can restrict your choice of garden building when you have a small space to work with? Answer: Get round it!

Most of us are allowed a certain amount of permitted development in our garden. This is hugely advantageous when looking to increase your living or working space and are thinking of the addition of a conservatory or garden room but can be restrictive if the garden isn’t as large as you’d like it to be!

Most garden rooms have either pitched, mono-pitched or flat roofs. The Pitched roof gives a beautiful feeling of space and is a welcome addition to a more traditional garden where it’s important to keep the style of your garden room in keeping with the existing buildings. The mono-pitched and flat roofs are a contemporary solution if you wanted a square, functional room without the charm (perfect for bike sheds and offices). We define the Rotunda cathedral roof as a pitched roof. This airy, open, loft style roofing system gives you breathing space and a marvellous aesthetic feature.

Here in lies the problem; pitched roof + small garden. Most of our clients ask us how far a garden building must be positioned from the boundary to comply with permitted development guidelines.

Any building sited closer than 2m to the boundary (ie: snugly up against the fence or tucked into a corner – which is where most of us ideally would like to place a garden building) must be less than 2.5m tall. If your garden is a wee bit on the small side, this would give you only a couple of options:

Site your garden-room 2m from the boundary – which could mean it fills the entire central space of the lawn!
Settle instead for a flat-roofed garden building which is no taller than 2.5m high
Oh no! There must be another way?

Fortunately, there is! We’ve been working with a couple of our clients to bring them the solution for their snug little gardens…..

By reducing the overall size of the Rotunda and creating a reduced height bespoke front door we’ve developed the 2.1m (7ft) internal diameter BABY-ROTUNDA!

It’s pretty adorable. The same features and functionality still apply, and with over 2m internal diameter, this means you can still pop a single airbed in there for a surprise visitor and have enough room to sit and meditate, enjoy a cup of tea or work on your art. With an overall height of under 2.4m you can site this little building snugly up to the fence without needing to apply for planning permission (your intended use might warrant planning though – please do check before purchasing) and you still have the artisan charm of a cathedral roof and bespoke detailing which can only been found with a Rotunda!

What’s more, being a smaller building, it’s more affordable than the 3.5m ext. dia Rotunda – coming in at £6,333.33 ex VAT.

So, if you’ve got a tiny garden but you’d still like a little sanctuary in the round please feel free to chat with us; we think we’ve just ‘got round’ the space problem and we have a solution for you!

Blogpost written by Gemma Roe.

Living in Yurts – the very first Prefabricated Houses

Recently I’ve been chatting with friends who live in a ‘yurt’ about my desire to make the transition myself and naturally I find myself drawing comparisons to our lovely Rotundas – weighing up the pros and cons of a simply canvas cylinder or a timber framed circular dwelling.

Our British climate mightn’t be particularly well suited to perpetual canvas living but a few hardy folk do indeed live in yurts through all seasons and are seemingly very happy. Since my very first introduction to circular buildings several years ago (and my ongoing passion for living, working and relaxing in the round) I’ve been fascinated by the history and the flexibility of the yurt. For those of you who aren’t overly familiar with the yurt, it’s a Mongolian structure (Genghis Khan and his horde used them) built primarily from latticed wood (to produce the cylindrical wall system) held together by a wooden band with a roof which is formed by long poles which extend from the top of the walls to arrive at a central point called the “crown” (which is a small circular opening, traditionally was used as a smoke hole) which provides both natural daylight and a beautiful focal point. The Yurt was born into existence by nomadic tribes who needed a house that could be easily constructed and moved, built with materials they had on hand (wool and wood) which was lightweight enough to be carried by a couple of horses and would be comfortable enough to withstand the winters but provide a cool retreat in the summer.

Estimated to have been created about 2,500 years ago, this central Asian design is still being used today as living spaces and quirky holiday retreats for the people all over the UK and I can see why.

An Eco-friendly round living space has enormous appeal for many of us and maximises the greatest use of floor area, is a natural and unobtrusive structure with minimal impact to the surrounding landscape and ground it’s sited on, they’re quick to erect and dismantle and they are warm and cosy when the fire is lit. The downsides, as far as I can see are that the yurt itself, being a central Asian design, isn’t particularly in-keeping with the British Countryside; there are very few (if any) windows and those that do are invariably old UPVC units from a brick-built domestic house, there are no electrics (so, no hair-dryer ladies I’m afraid) nor is there insulation and they need quite a bit of maintenance such as re-waterproofing the canvas and tightening the ropes. In fact, most UK holiday sites are required to take their Yurts down during the winter period which only really brings them revenue during the summer months.

Although I have a strong attraction to the traditional yurt I do firmly believe that after 2,500 years the yurt is due for a significant upgrade. Whilst in the process of looking for some land so my family and I can live off-grid and in greater harmony with nature, I’ve come to the conclusion that the Rotunda is in fact the modern (and upgraded) equivalent to the Mongolian Yurt, and it’s not a moment too soon. Our current civilisation (although many of us keen for a more sustainable living arrangement) has a requirement for a supply of electricity for modern day appliances and would expect to have a structure which mightn’t need to be removed and reassembled numerous times as the Mongol travellers did. Our climate can be bitterly cold in the winter months and thus, it would be advantageous to have a fully insulated building which would retain the heat and not lose it all though a single layer of canvas. Most notably, the Rotunda is a timber-clad building making the most of the British Larch which we source locally. A design which is more in-keeping with the British countryside but is also reminiscent of Swedish log cabins, traditional barns and lodges which provide more stability, durability and the option of modern day appliances and in-house entertainment (which could of course be powered by alternative energy sources)

So, thank you Yurt for the beauty and joy which you’ve provided for 2,500 years but personally I’d place my bets on the new equivalent which is much more suited to our climate, addresses our need to conserve energy and provides a more long-term living arrangement.

Yurt, my friend, you have evolved.

Blogpost written by Gemma Roe.

Spring has come round again!

Round: adverb

Brit. adverb: round

1. so as to rotate or cause rotation; with circular motion

The cycles of the seasons – Spring has come round again!

Well, yesterday was officially the first day of spring (or so we’re told by google) and national happiness day and there are few who know this quite so well as the team over at the Rotunda HQ!

As the snowdrops bloom in their tightly packed little clusters and the first bright daffodils rise up through their murky winter abodes we have been busily packing, clearing, hauling and coercing our way from Dreamcatcher Farm to our new facilities in Hazel Grove, Stockport.

Many a truck have been hired to haul the seemingly never-ending mountains of equipment, tools, timber and semi-constructed Rotundas; and today the team collapsed in relief as they surveyed the new set-up; (amazingly) back into full production with minimum disruption, following the installation of our most recent installation in Congleton of the stunning 6.5m Rotunda “Aurora”. It seems appropriate and timely that our little garden room enterprise has been re-shuffled, re-sorted and completely re-configured for the summer season in the early days of Spring.

2014 has already been a monumental year for all of us at Rotunda and we can only imagine what’s in store over the coming months as the new workshop is stocked with more joinery tools, beautiful timber, more enthusiastic employees and of course, (the jewel in our crown) beautiful hand-crafted Rotundas. We’re already filling our June and July production slots way ahead of schedule and thankfully we are now fully prepared for the increase to our production capacity due to the additional space in our new workshop! This new beginning will enable us to make more dreams come true, for all of our clients. A new beginning beckons and we’re pretty certain that we can see some curves on that horizon….!

If you were thinking about re-configuring your outdoor space and re-structuring your working environment we’d (naturally!) gently nudge you in the direction of the cycles of the seasons and the natural circular patterns in nature; if you find yourself inspired please do give us a call! Until then… enjoy the Spring!

Blogpost written by Gemma Roe.

Ten Reasons to Invest in a Garden Room this Spring

Separating your work space from your home environment is crucial to maintaining a positive work life balance. The majority of us who’ve all experienced working from the kitchen table have all struggled to remain focused on the task in hand and spent an inordinately long time nibbling on something easily accessible from the fridge/putting the laundry on or just being interrupted by the friendly neighbour who thought it’d be a good time to pop round for an impromptu cup of tea. A garden office or garden studio is separate from the house, from the distractions and from the ever-alluring fridge It’s absolutely wonderful to be able to lock your garden office door on a Friday afternoon (preferably leaving your mobile behind!) and head into the weekend without asking your family to share their Sunday meal at the dining table with your office equipment.
Reclaim the VAT back as a business expense. A Garden Room is a temporary building and if you are a fully VAT registered business you may be able to claim the full 20% VAT back.
Reduce your energy Bills working in a high-energy saving garden building and working away from the main house does mean that you no longer have to heat the whole building, but just one room. The benefits of low wattage LED lighting, natural daylight flooding through the roof-light dome, outstanding thermal dynamics and high levels of natural insulation means that it will cost you next to nothing to heat and light your garden room, garden office or studio!
Reduce your Commute to the office! A garden room is saving you money by reducing the need for train travel/office lunches and parking fees.
More time in bed or you can make the most of that time you would have been commuting to the office by making an extra special breakfast with your family, starting work earlier (!) or just having an extra 30 minutes in bed!
Flexibility to work around other commitments. Working in a dedicated space at your home will also ensure that you can fit other scheduled appointments such as doctors visits and school runs around your working day and you can work to your own schedule whilst maximising the time you have in the day to ensure your priorities are achieved.
Clean Air and a healthy environment is immensely beneficial to your working day. Being surrounded by your garden and working in a timber framed, naturally insulated and breathable garden room, office or studio is a much healthier environment for you and your employees/colleagues. Eliminating the chances of Sick building syndrome (which usually occurs in those employed in buildings containing many people who are working closely together, especially in new buildings with sealed windows.) http://www.patient.co.uk/doctor/Sick-Building-Syndrome.htm
Increase the value of your home whilst giving you an additional room with infinite possibilities. A garden room is a house extension and a lifestyle statement and as such could add value to your home in the instance that you would be looking to sell it in the future.
Save money on a house extension of traditional construction. A traditionally constructed house extension or conservatory may cost more and require significantly more planning and site preparation than a prefabricated garden studio.
Leasing options if you’re self-employed or have a small business, the cost of purchasing a garden building might be higher than renting space so leasing a Rotunda through your business may also mean that you can lease your Garden studio to obtain all of the benefits of a garden-office but enable you to purchase or return it at the end of your term.

Blogpost written by Gemma Roe.

Circle of Learning? Modular Eco-Classrooms for the Future

Eco-Classrooms – Circle of learning is more than a figure of speech

learning : noun 1.the acquisition of knowledge or skills through study, experience, or being taught.

teacher : noun plural noun: teachers

1.a person who teaches, especially in a school.

It’s no secret that the built environment is continuously shaping your thoughts, your mood, your productivity and your health. God only knows what it’s doing on a metaphysical level! Environmental Psychologists and Interior Designers certainly share the same passion; the impact of spaces which nurture and support their human inhabitants. I believe the two professions are more similar than most people would care to recognise.

So let me ask you this; which of the numerous built environments that we utilise on a regular basis could possibly be more important than those which support our children whilst they learn?

There have been countless studies of optimum office environments and eco-buildings for productivity but surely the humble classroom has to be one of primary importance, let there be no debate about this where we’re concerned! We firmly believe that a round eco-classroom offers a perfect environment for learning!

Anyone who’s familiar with the works of Rudolf Steiner (an Austrian philosopher, educationalist, social reformer, and architect) would be acutely aware of his unusual architectural style (no right angles if you please, these are CREATIVE spaces!) and the legacy he left in education. His education philosophy made him a prominent figure and Waldorf Schools are still respected by many.

Such visionaries will grace our planet from time to time and upset the balance of what we ‘think we know’ and I absolutely yearn for another Steiner to really shake things up at this point in our evolutionary development. It is about time that architects and designers stand firm to their values and design exclusively around the intended use of the building, to enhance the experience of those who will be spending time in it. This is especially significant for Educational Buildings within schools, nurseries or universities.

One school actively thinking in ‘circles’ purely to enhance it’s capacity as a learning environment is showcased in a very short video clip on the BBC Learning Zone website which I’d urge any architecture fanatic to watch!

So what’s the secret to creating an inclusive, productive and enhanced eco-classroom learning environment? To me, it’s an absolute no-brainer that the design process includes figuring out what happens in the space and scouring the internet and talking to teachers and psychologists to gleam information on any research which has been carried out on the effect of learning environments and seating patterns.

Some research which has led us to believe that a circle is the ideal configuration for interaction is echoed in the report which highlights two studies which compared rows to a circular seating arrangements carried out in 2000.

In a nutshell, Marx, Furher and Hartig “investigated the relationship between seating arrangements and the question-asking patterns of ten year olds. They found that students asked their teacher signiﬁcantly more questions when they were seated in a semi-circle than in rows.

As one of those who disliked school immensely, I believe that learning can not only be enhanced by the environment and teaching methods but also by promoting friendships and shared experience. Below, I have extracted part of an article which jumped out at me recently which echoes my thoughts on forging bonds and facilitating learning.

—————————————————————————————————————————————————-

“Teachers are using a traditional technique to help students communicate with one another as a way to build bonds that will foster learning and help them stay in school.”

“It’s story time at Amelia Earhart Continuation School, a place where high school students who have ditched class, flunked out or otherwise fallen behind in their academic credits come to catch up.

On this day, the students in Nancy Stringer’s English class sit in a circle. As they pass around a “talking piece”, they share stories of elementary and middle school. It may seem simple, but sharing stories in this way — a practice known as “council” — has made a huge difference in their lives, building strong bonds that have helped them stay in school. Cultures worldwide have long used speaking and listening circles — most notably, Native Americans. But now a modernized form, developed by the nonprofit Ojai Foundation, has spread to 12,000 students via 600 trained teachers in more than 60 schools, many of them in the Los Angeles Unified School District.

Joe Provisor, who helped launch the program in the district in 2006, said research shows that strong school relationships are critical for a student’s success. “This is bringing humanity back to the schools,” said Provisor, a teacher advisor with the district’s office of curriculum,

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For those of us who might have been bullied, excluded or misguided at school; our experience and our education may have been improved remarkably if our school had adopted an approach similar to the one used by Amelia Earheart. Perhaps if this type of inclusive and supported open-interaction were promoted at all levels of education there would be no need for a ‘continuation school’ and just think about what this might do to reflect crime rates and youth offending statistics in the UK?

With a background in Primary School Education, the team at Rotunda Living are enormously excited about the impact an Eco-Classroom Rotunda could make as a unique eco-classroom environment and we’re keen to see how the circular environment can improve the effectiveness of your school or nursery. Let’s work together to promote learning and care for our children.

We’re here when you need us!

How to Heat your Garden Room in the Winter

Heating your Garden Room in the Winter

You’re dusting the remnants of that recently devoured mince pie off your desk and scouring Amazon for those last minute purchases…. Once more enticed by the Carol singing, the mince-pie scoffing and that ‘devil-may-care’ attitude to chocolate which can only really be justified once a year!

As you retrieve your scarf and gloves which have been languishing abandoned in a cupboard under the stairs for the last nine months, you stop to wonder what now happens to your dream of working in the garden?! The jubilation you once felt at the idea of merry contentment, working at your leisure surrounded by the cheerful idealistic greenery of your well-tended outdoor space has hastily been replaced by a somewhat apprehensive glance towards the bleak and barren monochrome wilds at bottom of your garden. A cross-country commute to a purpose built office block might momentarily seem a more attractive option (provided you can catch a taxi to the station).

But as bleak as it might seem out there, the Garden Room is WINTER PROOF! (And the warmth will almost certainly welcome you before your coffee has had a chance to cool en-route to your desk; regardless of the seemingly impenetrable wintry gale hurtling towards you down that garden path – please persevere, you won’t be disappointed!).

Countless times we’ve piped on about the ultimate benefits of the Garden Room – that it’s a multifunctional, multi-season, weatherproof and above all else, a winter-proof modular building. This is when any real Garden Room worth it’s salt will come into it’s own!

Built like a timber framed house, a high-spec garden room will be compatible with almost any type of heating system you could imagine using in your home. Whether you’re using your building as a garden office, spare guest room or man-cave (to name but a few), here are a few tips to get you started:

Convection Heater

Simple, cost-effective and instant, a convection heater warms the air through it’s heated element and is much quieter and efficient than a fan heater. Oil filled radiators are also a form of convection heater and most of these will come with a timer fitted so you can set the heater an hour or so before you intend to use your office/garden-room.

A very well insulated building (naturally, the Rotunda is a perfect example) will retain the heat and it should circulate around the room providing you with a great ambient heat.

Approx Kw output: 2-3kw
Budget Guideline for a 1-2 person office £25-35
Cost to run: Med/High

Underfloor Heating

If your garden room comes fitted with Laminate or Wooden flooring it’s incredibly simple to specify electric underfloor heating from your chosen supplier. The foil mats roll out under the flooring system and a digital thermostat is usually fitted near the light-switch at the entrance to your garden-building. Some installers provide a remote control and the thermostats can be set to a timer so your Garden Room will be warm before you’re heading down the garden-path.

Approx Kw output: 1 -1.5kw
Budget Guideline for a 1-2 person office £500-700
Cost to run: Low

Log Burning Stove

A log burning stove is a beautiful way to heat your garden office or studio. The smallest stoves are ideal for smaller spaces, and you’d be best to limit the output to 4kw if you have a highly insulated building. There are some wonderful little models which are commonly used in barges and house-boats, one such stove is ‘The Hobbit’ built by ‘Salamander Stoves‘ here in the UK. Other stoves we’d recommend are the Charnwood C4 (picured) and the Little wenlock wood-burning stove, from £625, AGA. Although we can ensure your garden building is compatible for your Log burning stove, it is always best to seek the services of a local stove installer who can fit the stove, flue and hearth for you when your building is being installed. This could cost several hundred pounds.

Approx Kw output: 4-5 kw
Budget Guideline for a 1-2 person office £1,200 – £1,500
Cost to run: Low

Flueless Bio Ethanol Fires

lthough fairly new in the UK, bio-ethanol are well established on the Continent and Scandinavia and we’re really excited to have recently come across them. No need for a flue or hearth, these handy little stoves are self-contained and are fed by clean burning eco friendly bio ethanol liquid or gel derived from the fermentation of crops, so no need to connect to any services!

There is also no residue when burning, so there is literally no maintenance, which is a big step forward compared to wood burners. (You can buy bottles of fluid from £1.9o per litre which will hold about 2.5 hours of fuel).

Approx Kw output: 2-4 kw
Budget Guideline for a 1-2 person office £350-400
Cost to run: Med

Needless to say, these suggestions are not exhaustive; on the larger and commercial buildings, a gas combi-boiler (the same as in your home) can be fitted and there are numerous eco-alternatives such as Air Heat Source and Ground Heat Source pumps also available.

So, here’s to wishing you a toasty warm garden room this winter, and we hope that your fears have now been dismantled! As always, should you have any questions or concerns relating to the heating or installation of a garden room in the depths of winter, please do feel free to contact us and we’ll be happy to chat to you further!

Blogpost written by Gemma Roe.

Unique Circular Garden Rooms, modular school buildings and lodges - Handcrafted in the UK

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The cycles of the seasons – Spring has come round again!

Eco-Classrooms – Circle of learning is more than a figure of speech

Heating your Garden Room in the Winter

Convection Heater

Underfloor Heating

Log Burning Stove

Flueless Bio Ethanol Fires

Sustainable Timber Policy

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