Just yesterday I passed through a quaint little village in rural Derbyshire and caught sight of an adorable stone built cottage set back from the road with a rough-sawn wooden disc pinned to the front gate; proudly bearing the name “The Owls Nest”.

Since the very early conception of the beautiful Rotunda, there was absolutely no debate that these garden rooms were to be named, individually by their owners. We knew that they were buildings with soul.   As far as sacred spaces go, the Roundhouse is one which receives nothing but admiration for it’s physical attributes, it’s metaphysical prowess, it’s energy saving capabilities and sheer gorgeousness.

A hand crafted, luxury eco-building like this is a space which is loved and nurtured unlike any other building.    So what’s in a name?  Why is it so important for us to carve a word into a solid oak plaque which will sit proudly alongside the front door for the world to see?

We believe it’s something to do with the fact that the ‘Rotunda’ is less like a building and more like a beautifully crafted boat.  We’ve always felt that way.  Like an exquisitely carved and lovingly fashioned sailboat or rowing boat, with polished and lacquered British timber; she carries her occupants into a calm and beautiful setting, a vessel which is here to allow you to create, dream, experience and facilitate those passions which you’ve been longing to find both the time and the space for.

Once a Rotunda is crafted, shipped and installed, the name plaque is secured to the British Larch or Cedar Timber cladding and coated with Danish oil for longevity.

It’s a beautiful relationship, that of the Rotunda and it’s occupant/owner.  Unlike the myriad of other ‘garden rooms’ or many of the contemporary garden rooms with ubiquitous linearity, aluminium or bi-fold doors and windows, flat, straight-edged roof and box like appearance, the Rotunda is a gentle, unassuming, unobtrusive and sympathetic building.   Settling down and resting itself in a shady area of the garden, it can almost seem to look like a very contented backyard chicken, fluffing up it’s tail feathers and nesting down after a roll in the dust.  Something which warms the heart to look at and lifts your spirits when you spend time with it.

The majority of our buildings are used as therapy or educational spaces, and it’s not difficult to see why.  Of the names we’ve carved and presented along with the building here are some, and the building’s use.

• “Wren” – an encaustic art therapy space, South Wales
• “Dreamcatcher” – a nursery building, West Yorkshire
• “Aurora” a spiritial retreat, Cheshire
• “Gaia” for an Ayurveda and Yoga retreat centre, The South of France
• “The Burrow” A healing room and domestic garden room, Lancashire
• “The Roundhouse” – An Alexander technique Meditation room, Essex
• “Roundel” – A therapy space, Kent
• “FLO” – Hypnotherapy room, Glastonbury
• “Luna” a QiGong space and meditation room, The Lake District
• “The Harps” a classical music room, Luton
• “Bumble” (below) – A reflexology space, Harpenden

There are many others, one of our favourites being “Divinity” which is a “Three Principles” workshop space, owned by practitioner of the teachings of the late Sydney Banks.   Her chosen name was represented by a symbol – three circles interlinked.  Mind, Consciousness and thought.

I may be at risk of repeating myself here but as a team of people, we genuinely feel honoured and blessed to bring each of these Roundhouses into the world. From the initial conversation with one of the three of us at the office, to the visible passion, dedication and hardworking ethos of our installers on site; it’s clear to see that every building is a labour of love for all of us.  Just as a midwife or Douala must feel blessed to be the first to behold and assist a newborn baby into this world, we feel the same; honour, pride and gratitude.  Both to our clients and our buildings as we bring forth more enchanting circular spaces into this rectilinear world.   Changing the shape of our built environment. One garden room at a time.

….. What would you name yours?

Enjoy the sun! From all at Rotunda x