The Owners of this Project had a clear vision of both design and purpose for their remodeled garden office. The existing shed had become both an eyesore and a costly consumer of space among the urban constraints of a residential lot.

The Owners' passion for Asian influenced design set the tone for the Project. They valued the simplicity and aesthetics of the Asian architecture complimented with the fine attention to detail. Beyond the design statement, the Owners required an office removed from the main residence in order to segregate work from the solace of their living space. Although the garden office would be a professional environment, it had to also harbor a sense of tranquility and discipline; again, elements of the Asian culture.

The new garden office evolved into a defining structure of an open courtyard offering a peaceful transition from the main residence. The new garden office has thus increased the usage of the property while maintaining the same footprint of all the original structures.

The original structure, viewed here as you enter the garden from the residence, was a free standing shed with no access to the yard.

The rear yard lacked security and privacy since there was no existing gate or fence protecting the residence from the street access.

A variety of temporary structures provided improvised privacy screening from the adjacent neighbors.

An existing portico disrupted the view from within the garden and led one's eye to the awkward structure.

Once the existing structure had been removed, further evidence of damaging conditions were exposed.

The adjacent neighbor's garage was also built on the property line, yet lacked roof gutters and drains. Overgrowth of neighboring yards intruded into the existing framing.

Prior to any new construction, care was taken to install roof gutters onto the neighbor's garage and trim back all garden growth. A French drain was installed between the neighbor's garage and the new garden office to facilitate dry conditions in these spaces.

By re-using the zero lot line footprint of the existing shed, the Owners reclaimed full use of their rear yard. A traditional addition to the main residence would have minimized their yard and eliminated the new courtyard effect.

As evident from the previous photos, the proximity of the adjacent neighbor's garage to the new garden office site posed difficult construction hurdles. There was no access from the exterior side of the wall, thus all construction, including exterior finish, had to be completed prior to placing the wall vertical.

A new foundation and concrete slab was installed in order to bring the interior floor level above the existing garden level. The new foundation had cast in place anchor bolts as part of the new lateral system. Thus, in order to place the new wall vertical on the foundation, the accuracy of the bolts and framing was mandatory.

This system of construction was made possible by the implementation of the James Hardie HardiPanel Vertical Siding. This product provided a finished, colored, waterproof exterior with a 50 year warranty that could be installed prior to the wall being placed vertical.

The Owner requested that the design of the garden office have an open view to the garden. This openness would imitate the Asian style door panels and de-emphasize the load bearing wall of Western architecture. Given the limited footprint for the new structure, the open view towards the garden would all but eliminate the fourth wall.

This element posed an intriguing structural engineering complexity of how to provide a lateral system for the structure when one side would remain basically "open". The engineering system was designed by engaging the side walls of the structure across the front of the opening.

Again, given the strict parameters of the structure, construction accuracy was paramount in securing the aesthetic effect requested by the Owners.

The efficiency and accuracy of limited construction became the key to providing the Asian methodology of design and architecture that was of ultimate importance to the Owners.

The heavy sheet metal connectors are evidence of the structural framing system providing the essence of the Asian architecture. The structure demonstrates the adage of "Form follows Function" through its cathedral ceiling and door panel enclosure.

The cathedral ceiling permits the viewing of the interior heavy structural timber at the roof peak. This timber is connected to its support posts with exposed wrought iron brackets.

A cathedral ceiling design poses a difficulty in providing air current since there is no attic space or ventilation.

Hence, the roof joists were dropped below the ceiling for both design aesthetic and the airflow system for the roof framing.

A ridge vent was provided at the peak to complete the system. In order to avoid a Western style element at such a prominent location, a slotted continuous bamboo stalk was place over the vent.

The Asian influenced architecture becomes apparent in the roof framing design.

The change of eave structure along the front of the office gives the appearance of a multi-inclined gable roof, which is evident in higher class construction of Asian structures.

In keeping with the Asian efficiency, the front eave also provides a protective overhang for the Owners' garden counter and supplies. A new wall-like fence extends from the new garden office towards the street, along the property line. This wall provides both privacy from the neighboring property and space for hanging garden supplies.

The structure begins to influence the overall design of the garden and its connection to the main residence. With the awkward wooden trellis removed, the view from the main residence is expanded and the desire to engage the garden and the new garden office, as a whole, becomes apparent.

This creates an exciting surprise for the Owners. The Owners use this stage to thoughtfully renovate the garden as an outdoor courtyard for the new garden office and main residence.

Asian architecture is respectful of open spaces surrounded by structures connected by pathways. The new garden office has evolved during construction into an important element of the open space rather than a separate destination.

The exterior enclosure takes shape with further detail of the Asian style roof line.

The stature and location of the new garden office fits seamlessly into the neighboring setting.

Privacy for all adjacent properties is established or maintained.

The Owners requested that an Asian style door be chosen as the centerpiece between the garden and the office.

In order to maintain cost efficiency on the project, the Owners decided on selecting only a stock item for the door enclosure.

Andersen Windows was chosen as the manufacturer since the company provided a double sliding door that would best fill the wall length; a metal cladding exterior for low maintenance and longevity; a wooden interior that was stained to match the dark woods of the Asian influence; a colored exterior cladding that would complement the James Hardie HardiPlank exterior and a symmetrical door opening in keeping with the Asian style architecture.

The design development stage has proven to be valuable in establishing the concept of the building both structurally and architecturally.

The exterior design elements were specifically chosen to portray the Asian style of architecture apparent in the finished structure. Concurrently, the Owners were determined to have the finishes fall within the budget and longevity concerns.

A slotted bamboo stalk conceals the air vent at the roof peak; fire retardant treated roof shakes clad the roof; copper rain gutters lead to a iron rain chain, ending in Asian pottery; colored HardiePanel Vertical Siding with trim to represent a wooden exterior finish; Pagoda style lanterns light the exterior and double sliding metal clad doors lead into the garden from the office.

Shows Asian style architecture in all features

Precision framing and weaving of new and existing elements are evident in the finished structure.

The precision is further enhanced by the copper gutters.

The best compliment of a remodeled structure is that it enhances the original surroundings while evolving into them.

The James Hardie HardiPanel Vertical Siding matches the color of the existing painted fasade of the main residence.

The final detail, the piece de resistance, of the entire project is the incorporation of the vintage handcrafted authentic gates brought directly from Japan.

The gates were installed into the passageway between the new garden office and the main residence. What had been previously open to the driveway now becomes a grand entry into the secluded courtyard framed by the new and existing structures.

The installation of the gates was in keeping with the Japanese method of joinery. There are no exposed hinges or locks. Instead, the edge member of the each gate fits precisely over a metal outcropping in the concrete slab and the wooden frame above. This connection permits the gates to swing freely to a discreet wooden element providing a stop.

The courtyard is enhanced with a hand hewn stone bridge leading from the main residence to the new garden office.

The interior lighting of the garden office invites one to stroll through the garden towards the office.

The openness of the double sliding doors and side lights eliminates the claustrophobic tendencies of a typical home office.

The privacy and seclusion provided by the authentic Japanese gates offers the Owners a quiet respite.

While the new garden office has been intentionally separated from the main living residence, the architectural design of both the garden and the office create a sense of oneness and unity.