01 · Challenge
Green garden, need for a workspace
An artist and her family in Soest wanted a detached studio in their large rear garden. They were looking for a quiet workspace, separate from the house, with good north light and sufficient height for large canvases. The garden bordered a municipal green area. The municipality of Soest applies strict rules on maximum heights and building coverage for rear plots. Furthermore, the building had to match the typical garden architecture of the neighbourhood: timber and slate, not too modern.
02 · Our approach
Design within the dimensional requirements
We carefully calculated in advance what was spatially possible within the zoning plan of Soest. The outbuilding was designed with a pitched roof aligned with the ridge direction of the house, vertical timber cladding and a large roof window on the north side. The structure consisted of a steel ring beam on a concrete foundation with a timber roof truss system. We submitted the building permit application with a complete set of drawings and a colour passport for the facades, aligned with the aesthetic review requirements of the municipality of Soest.
03 · Result
Light studio that fits perfectly in the garden
The permit was granted without objection, within 8 weeks of submission. The 22 m² studio has an internal height of 3.2 metres and a large north-facing window making full use of the roof plane. The artist now has a professional workspace that is completely separate from the house and also serves as a quiet meeting room. The design aligned so well with the neighbourhood that several neighbours subsequently had similar plans drawn up. A good outbuilding starts with the right permit strategy.