Читать книгу The Organic Garden - Allan Shepherd - Страница 50

Leave the stage through the far entrance, head towards the house, turn round 360 degrees and look back. This should be your first glimpse of the amazing roof garden that tops the whole structure. Rolling along the twisted roof like the sea, plants rise and fall on waves of soil bedded on top of a hidden waterproof membrane. On one side a cascading rosemary sits proud to the bow, drooping purple flowers over the grey oak boarding. This is a rural garden but a roof like this could grace any urban shed or house. Not only does a roof garden provide vital garden interest in otherwise drab city streets, it soaks up some of the rainfall and absorbs airborne particles, helping to prevent flooding and reduce pollution.

And there we have it. A multi-functional covered space that combines all the elements you would expect to find in a handcrafted organic shed. It’s made from a renewable resource cut locally, constructed with a minimum of ‘unnatural’ materials (a few stainless steel screws and ringlets, concrete pads and waterproof membranes). The structure fits the space perfectly, drawing the two levels of the house and the courtyard together while creating new garden space on the roof and around the frame. And finally, the clients’ brief has been met: great views to the sea, a home office with electricity and broadband, an adaptable social space and a secret little room for the grandchildren.