/news/Ecospace News updatesen-GBTue, 16 Feb 2010 20:10:21 -0000/news-press/2010/02/02/press-february-2010/<p> Publication: <b> Schoener Wohnen</b> </p> <p> Publication Date: <b> 2nd February 2010</b> </p> <p> Article title: <b> Die besten hauser unter 100,000 Euro </b> </p> /news-press/2010/02/02/press-february-2010//news-press/2009/12/16/ecospace-short-listed-new-london-architecture-comp/<p>"New London Architecture launched a competition this autumn, in association with The Building Centre, Time Out, Royal Institute of British Architects London and Elle Decoration, to find London's best and most innovative home extensions." </p> <p> "This exhibition displays the 32 shortlisted and winning schemes, which will provide inspiration for homeowners looking to create more space in their homes. The projects demonstrate a wide range of approaches to extending your home, including basement excavations, rooftop extensions, innovative mezzanine insertions, and entire retrofitting projects, which use a range of materials at a variety of budgets."" </p> <p> Ecospace submitted a typical example of a garden home office project in North London – we were shortlisted and included within the exhibition. </p> <p> "On Saturday 23 January, a special day of free ‘Don't Move, Improve!' public events will take place at NLA, with architect surgeries offering advice on home extensions, lectures from architects and designers, plus advice on being more green and energy efficient. Many of the leading furniture retailers around Tottenham Court Road will also be offering design advice and special promotions for ‘Don't Move, Improve!' visitors during the day. Further details coming soon..." </p>/news-press/2009/12/16/ecospace-short-listed-new-london-architecture-comp//news-press/2009/11/27/press-november-2009/<p> Publication:<b> Shed-Chic by Sally Coulthard</b> </p> <p> Publication Date: <b> 27th November 2009 </b> </p> <p> Article title: <b> Work/Live space</b> </p> <p> Article content: "Most of us dream of escaping the office and working from home but, few of us have the space. One London firm of architects has proven that downshifting and saying goodbye to the daily commuter grind need not mean the end of your day job."</p> <p>It is amazing what happens in some peoples sheds. Just ask the architects at Ecospace.</p> <p>Their sophisticated garden studios are being used for everything from a doctor's waiting room to a professor's library. Clients include graphic artists, musicians, psychiatrists, yacht designers, television presenters, lawyers, photographers and producers – all looking for a place in which to practice their profession.</p> <p>Ecospace's sheds may be pretty, but the reasoning behind them is eminently practical. Many of the company's clients previously owned or rented offices elsewhere, but found that a working shed was a much more of a cost–effective and an eco–friendly solution. It also scrapped the need for a,spirit–crushing, daily commute. Other clients already worked from home, but needed a space detached from domestic distractions. </p> <p>As with all sheds the beauty of an Ecospace studio is that it eliminates some of the sticky issues associated with a typical house extension – consultant's fees, unpredictable builders and spiralling costs. Planning permission is often a sticking point when you need to extend your home, especially if your house historically significant. Invest, instead in a shed, and there is a good chance you won't face a nightmare applying for consent.</p> <p>The structure of an Ecospace is manufactured off–site, keeping disruption and build time on your actual property down to a minimum. Instead, in just a matter of days, you have a home office complete with a super efficient heating system, low wattage nickel down lighters and an electrical supply. </p> <p>For many, however, the Ecospace studio becomes much more than a place to work. Alongside the integral workstation and storage systems, a shower room, mezzanine sleeping area, kitchenette, wood–burning stove and fitted furniture can all be chosen by clients – everything you could possibly need to turn your shed into a slice of home." </p> /news-press/2009/11/27/press-november-2009//news-press/2009/10/11/press-october-2009/<p> Publication: <b>The Sunday Telegraph</b> </p> <p> Publication Date: <b>11th October 2009</b> </p> <p> Article title: <b>"I'm in the shed"</b> </p> <p> Article content: Colleen Toomey – Author and documentary film–maker Colleen Toomey wanted to "go to work" even if it meant just strolling 60ft through the back garden of her Victorian house in North London where she lives with her barrister husband and son. "It makes sense to remove myself, geographically, from the house so I am not interrupted or tempted to inspect the fridge every time I get writer's block", she says, "Having trawled the internet, I came across Ecospace and loved the designs of their simple lines and large expanses of double glazing … My office has a big window through which I see foxes walking past. It also has a sedum roof in which alpine plants flower in the spring and summer so the outlook is much more pleasant for our neighbours and from the top floor of our house."</p> <p>"The building is well–made with a sustainable birch wood interior and cedar cladding – good quality materials that are attractive and sympathetic to the surroundings. I've found it cool in the summer and warm in the winter thanks to the structural insulation and low energy under floor heating…It took about four days to build after which the electrics were installed. The same wireless broadband connection works in the office and house and I also had a phone installed. Neither my husband nor son use it so it really is a room of my own." </p> <p>A similar 5m x 3.8m office would cost £21,950+VAT plus delivery. Planted sedum roof, underfloor heating, recyclable rubber flooring, double–glazing, power points and insurance approved security locks are included. As Ecospace is part of an architectural practice, a professional design and planning service is also included. Bespoke sizes and designs are also available. </p> /news-press/2009/10/11/press-october-2009//news-press/2009/07/29/press-july-2009/<p> Publication: <b>Evening Standard</b> </p> <p> Publication Date: <b> 29th July 2009</b> </p> <p> Article title: <b> Shed your inhibitions</b></p> <p>Article content: "The humble garden shed, "quick, cheap and hassle–free to build,it is the perfect way to give a family more space", says Katie Law. </p> <p>According to Sally Coultard, author of 'Shed Chic', building a shed at the bottom of the garden can provide an ideal solution to the problem of lack of space faced by many city dwellers. By contrast, jazzy loft or side extensions can be expensive, time consuming and a planning nightmare. A shed rarely needs planning permission, cost comparatively little and – crucially offers an escape from the hurley–burly of home life that retreating into an extension never can. </p> <p>Today's garden sheds do not have to be humble affairs. Some come as sophisticated post–modern, eco–friendly flat–packs, while others are a modern take on a traditional gypsy trailer. Ecospace, part of a London–based architectural practice, specialises in eco garden offices. "We've seen a steady rise in business in the past couple of years as moving becomes expensive or families are unable to sell", says it's owner, Lee Town. "The other factor for Londoners has been the rising costs of commercial rents and transport; creating a home office works out a lot cheaper."…" A typical Ecospace garden office comes with a maintenance–free exterior made from red cedar wood." </p>/news-press/2009/07/29/press-july-2009//news-press/2009/07/16/ecospace-big-green-bike-race-london-paris/<p> Some of the Ecospace team saddled up and left Big Ben for a three day bike race from London to Paris on 24th July. Cycling through the French byroads with nothing more than a change of underwear and a map, we arrived beneath the Eiffel Tower 3 days later for a well earned night in Montmartre followed by waking up the next morning with incredibly stiff joints! Anyway, it was all worthwhile as we raised £1007 for charity which supports those in poverty in Africa. Many thanks for all your support! </p> <p> Watch this space for the 2010 big green bike race. </p> /news-press/2009/07/16/ecospace-big-green-bike-race-london-paris//news-press/2009/04/22/press-april-2009/<p> Publication: <b> London Lite </b> </p> <p> Publication Date: <b> 22nd April 2009</b> </p> <p> Article title: <b> Summer house is a romantic and practical extension.</b> </p> <p> Article content: "It's perfect for kids' play time, entertaining friends and as my home office"</p> <p>Daniel Welton 44, founder of the design company, 'eight design', and his wife Shu Ling, installed an eco–summer house in the garden of their three–bed terrace in Alexandra Park. Daniel says, "We needed more space, especially as a play area for our son, Samuel, who is two. I wanted it to be modern and to work as a warm but, also eco–friendly space. Ecospace studios (ecospacestudios.com) offered what I wanted. It cost about £26,000 and it only took a week to put up. "We primarily use it for Samuel to play in, he loves it. We also entertain there when friends come round and I also work there"... "It's very well insulated. You turn the underfloor heating on for a couple of hours and it just holds the heat. In the summer it should keep cool. The light's amazing and it's nice to have a space detached from the house." </p>/news-press/2009/04/22/press-april-2009//news-press/2009/04/16/press/<p> Publication: <b>Ryanair Inflight Magazine</b> </p> <p> Publication Date:<b> 16th April 2009</b> </p> <p> Article title: <b> Tips and Debate</b> </p> <p> Article content: "If you need a bigger home but, moving is out of the question, there are some great ways to solve the problem, says Shane McGinley"</p> <p>"With prices tumbling it's clear right now that holding on to a property is better than selling. If you've got any spare cash that needs investing in your place and building up its value ready for the inevitable upturn in fortunes, now's the best time to do it.</p> <p>If you have a garden you can utilise a service called Ecospace. Generally cheaper than an extension, Ecospace build a wooden structure that can be used as a guest room, gym or playroom"… "At an average cost of £19,850+VAT (21,135 euros) +VAT and delivery. In comparison, the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors says the average home extension costs about £28,000 (29,834 euros). Ecospace (pictured) also uses sustainable wood and low energy heating."</p> /news-press/2009/04/16/press//news-press/2009/04/15/ecospace-completes-livework-project/<p> "Having won planning permission earlier this year, Ecospace have completed a multi functional live work project in south west London. The building incorporates an open plan living space, mezzanine sleeping areas, kitchen, shower room, garage and home office studio. The project took just four weeks to complete and the owners are now enjoying their new cool pad." </p>/news-press/2009/04/15/ecospace-completes-livework-project//news-press/2009/04/15/ecospace-completes-first-information-centre-rspb/<p>Ecospace completed their first Information Centre for an RSPB Nature Reserve in Dorset. Complete with a one-way glass wildlife viewing area and information about the reserve, it acts as a warm welcome to Arne. Ecospace won the project due to their buildings' sustainability credentials and natural materials which complemented the area of outstanding natural beauty and encourages new visitors.</p>/news-press/2009/04/15/ecospace-completes-first-information-centre-rspb//news-press/2009/03/16/ecospace-goes-continental/<p>Ecospace buildings have been gaining publicity all across Europe. As a result, we're very excited to say that we've recently opened a partnering German office and production facility based near Munich to serve the regions, Germany, Switzerland and Austria. Our new partners have a wealth of experience in sustainable construction projects and will join our research and development team to assist with the innovation of our products. The first German Ecospace projects have been completed and there are many more to come. For these regions Contact Ecospace Deutschland <br/> <br/><a href="www.ecospacestudios.de" target="_blank">www.ecospacestudios.de</a> <br/><a href="mailto:info@ecospacestudios.de?subject=Web Contact">info@ecospacestudios.de</a> <br/>+49(0)8152/396 4315 </p> <p> Watch this space for further European partners. </p> /news-press/2009/03/16/ecospace-goes-continental//news-press/2009/01/16/ecospacetm-completes-community-building-london-reg/<p> Located within Besson Street Community Gardens, New Cross, Ecospace have completed a multi functional community building for local residents and the adjacent primary school. Ecospace worked closely with the regeneration team at Lewisham Council to create the building which features a fully bio diverse planted roof. The community garden and Ecospace building act as a sanctuary against the backdrop of high density housing and busy one way road system. </p> /news-press/2009/01/16/ecospacetm-completes-community-building-london-reg//news-press/2009/01/01/press-january-2009/<p> Publication: <b> Mogers Solicitors Magazine</b> </p> <p> Publication Date:<b> 1st January 2009</b> </p> <p> Article title:<b> Your very own Ecospace</b> </p> <p> Article content: "These beautiful buildings fulfil all the tenets of good contemporary design; reconciling originality, beauty, versatility, convenience and environmental responsibility without compromising on quality"… "This range of revolutionary UK designed garden studio rooms are truly outstanding in design, production and cost…"</p> <p>"If you need your very own space as a garden studio, a gym, a home office or just an extra space, look at these amazing new concepts in small building design.<strong> </strong>Any one of these could fit into your garden and in most cases, without planning permission. Designed with modern living in mind, the Ecospace garden studios are versatile units that are easily installed into an existing garden space, tailored to suit your requirements and built to the highest specifications internally and externally." </p> <p>"Ideal for a home office, extra guest accommodation or just an extra space to escape from daily life; the modules are designed with both environmental and aesthetic impact in mind. The main material component is sustainable cedar wood, which along with the sedum grass–covered roof, ages beautifully to blend not its natural surroundings; complimenting the striking contemporary design of the studio, whilst ensuring no loss of green space in your garden." </p> <p>"Moving house can be an extremely costly and frustrating process, this additional space can often mean a move is made unnecessary, saving money and anxiety as well as immediately increasing a property's future sale value.</p> <p>Each building is designed to meet house building regulations and is energy efficient, with low energy under floor heating and other low energy features available." </p> /news-press/2009/01/01/press-january-2009//news-press/2008/08/01/julyaugust-2008/<p> Publication:<b> Ottagono</b> </p> <p> Publication Date: <b> 1st August 2008</b> </p> <p> Article title: <b> Mono-pitched roofed studio - Idris Perrineau Town</b> </p> <p> Article content: "Perfect for expanding the home or the office." Made with a wooden structure resting on an adjustable base means it does not require a foundation. This reduces the impact on the site and allows easy installation even on uneven terrain. The roof can be flat or mono–pitch, allowing one to add a mezzanine space and can be planted with various species of greenery, increasing thermal insulation and soundproofing and reducing visual impact on the environment. The dimensions and features can be customized with bathrooms and a kitchen area. It comes fully furnished with heating lighting and electricity, so it only needs to be placed on its base and hooked up to the plumbing system. A very rapid operation." </p> /news-press/2008/08/01/julyaugust-2008//news-press/2008/04/01/press-april-2008/<p> Publication:<b> Avivre</b> </p> <p> Publication Date: <b> 1st April 2008</b> </p> <p> Article title: <b> Les cabanons a l'abri de la loi?</b> </p> /news-press/2008/04/01/press-april-2008//news-press/2008/02/01/press-february-2008/<p> Publication: <b> Image Interiors</b> </p> <p> Publication Date:<b> 1st February 2008</b> </p> <p> Article title: <b> Meerkat Manor</b> </p> <p> Article content: "That's what you get when you leave the door open to your cool new Ecospace – the jealous neighbours move in. Stylish, eco–friendly and ever so practical, we're lusting after these grass–topped designer outdoor studios."</p> /news-press/2008/02/01/press-february-2008//news-press/2008/01/01/press-january-2008/<p> Publication: <b> Grand Designs</b> </p> <p> Publication Date: <b> 1st January 2008</b> </p> <p> Article title: <b>Alfresco Entertaining</b> </p> <p> Article content: "Our technology–packed homes are spilling out into the garden with some interesting results. Architect designed outdoor buildings bring the humble and cluttered shed into the twenty–first century. Without planning permission you can add an insulated and wired up building to use as a guest room, summer house or complete home office and with a wireless network, you might not need to install a second phone line to get online. For a complete range of outdoor buildings try ecospacestudios.com (pictured above)…"</p> /news-press/2008/01/01/press-january-2008//news-press/2007/10/01/press-october-2007/<p> Publication: <b>Map Mag</b> </p> <p> Publication Date: <b> 1st October 2007</b> </p> <p> Article title: <b>Village Direction</b> </p> <p> Article content: "Putting a different, and much greener, spin on the granny flat, are the new contemporary garden studios from Ecospace. These bespoke, green–roofed studios are designed to provide a unique spatial extension, tailored to complement any facet of contemporary urban life, be it work or play.</p> <p> Using sustainable timber framed, fully insulated structures, and ecospace creates the perfect pods for flexible living, complete with plug kitchen and bathroom additions, with a breezy mezzanine level, ideal for an intimate evening soiree or for simply chilling out. The cleverly designed studios offer a cube of self contained bliss right in your backyard. But, you might have to fight your grandmother for the space. Design your perfect abode at <U><a href="/">www.ecospacestudios.com</a></U>."</p> /news-press/2007/10/01/press-october-2007//news-press/2007/09/01/press-september-2007/<p> Publication: <b> In-Flight magazine of easyjet</b> </p> <p> Publication Date: <b> 1st September 2007</b> </p> <p> Article title: <b>House to Go</b> </p> <p> Article content: "Found the perfect plot of land but can't afford to build on it? The new wave of prefabricated houses means you can live in cutting edge style"… "What <em>is</em> new is that prefabricated homes are starting to look contemporary and to reflect a growing demand for greener living."… "From minuscule to majestic, fixed or mobile, modernist or traditional, dwellings currently in production globally (and there are many more innovative designs that never made it beyond the drawing board), go way beyond Swedish–inspired, affordable housing. Start using words such as 'modular' or micro housing and it all sounds pretty exciting."</p> /news-press/2007/09/01/press-september-2007//news-press/2007/08/01/press-august-2007/<p> Publication: <b> Country Life</b> </p> <p> Publication Date: <b>1st August 2007 </b> </p> <p> Article title: <b> Come into my shed</b> </p> <p> Article content: "A star at Chelsea 2007, ecospace is an architect–designed solid modernist cube. It's stylish and sustainable, made from FSC–certified timber featuring high performance electronics, ultra efficient heating and eco–insulation as standard. The corner glass window floods the area with space and light. The flat roof is organic sedum so the squirrels will be happy too."</p> /news-press/2007/08/01/press-august-2007//news-press/2007/07/01/press-july-2007/<p> Publication: <b> T3Home</b> </p> <p> Publication Date: <b> 1st July 2007</b> </p> <p> Article title: <b> Great Escapes</b> </p> <p> Article content: "The humble garden shed isn't just somewhere to store your rusty old tools and unwanted junk. Nowadays the smart set are building fully equipped outdoor offices and bespoke garden studios as a stylish extension of the house. Here we present the bare facts"</p> <p>Designed by architects and available in a dazzling number of configurations, the Ecospace Studio 01 is the entry level model in Ecospace's range of contemporary garden studios. The exterior is clad in sustainable western red cedar and the 200mm thick walls are fully insulated for all year–round usability. All of the double glazed sliding doors and windows are housed in Scandinavian pine frames and secured with window locks and a five–lever mortise lock. The roof can be covered with low–maintenance shrubbery to help your studio to blend in with the rest of the garden. However, it's inside where things get really fancy. Where underfloor heating, Freudenburg wear resistant floors, birch walls, recessed lighting, brushed stainless steel electrical points, phone and data access and flush fitted spot lights are just a few of the home comforts that await. And if you really want to push the boat out then it's also possible to order larger units with a separate bathroom and kitchenette, or even a mezzanine sleeping level." </p> </p>/news-press/2007/07/01/press-july-2007//news-press/2007/05/16/chelsea-flower-show-2007/<p> In 2007 we received a Certificate of Merit from the RHS Chelsea Flower Show for the outstanding presentation of our stand. It was a great experience – we couldn't believe how many people were interested in both our Ecospace and Ecocube™. We must be doing something right. </p> <p> Chelsea Flower Show is a fair walk from the station. And we just hated to think that people would have to get taxis when they come to visit our environmentally-friendly Ecospace. So, we hired some rickshaws for the week to ferry people to and from the show. And for a bit of fun, we covered them in grass, just like our Ecospace roofs. </p> <p> Even Joanna Lumley jumped on board our eco-wagon. She said the grass very comfortable and thought that providing green transport to a flower show was – what were the words she used – totally fantastic?! Well, something like that… </p>/news-press/2007/05/16/chelsea-flower-show-2007//news-press/2007/03/15/ecospace-goes-back-school/<p> "Ecospace have been approached by a number of County Councils and schools to carry out education projects. Our first project, Meysey Hampton School has just been completed and the head teacher has been so pleased with the Ecospace, we have been instructed to complete another project for them. Further projects are commencing. Schools are attracted to Ecospace buildings due to their natural materials and bright spaces which inspires learning." </p>/news-press/2007/03/15/ecospace-goes-back-school//news-press/2006/06/01/press-june-2006/<p> Publication: <b> Esquire</b> </p> <p> Publication Date: <b> 1st June 2006</b> </p> <p> Article title: <b>Shed Heaven</b> </p> <p> Article content: "Down at the bottom of the garden lays the refuge for the modern man"</p> <p>Sheds have always been more than a place to store bikes and back issues of Esquire. Nowadays, they are also serving a practical purpose of home office for those liberated from the workplace. The problem is that most look like tacky Swiss chalets. Architect, Tony Fisher had nearly given up on finding an off–the–peg solution from his home based consultancy when he came across, 'Ecospace', a studio range constructed from Scandinavian red cedar and topped with a "green roof of sedums."<strong> </strong></p> <p> "We liked the aesthetics and the way the company is set up he says. It's run by architects and built by architects, so there's a feeling that they really care about what they do."</p> <p>Despite teething problems ("wireless systems didn't work because of the heavy foliage"), Fisher says it's the perfect working environment ("the comfort of working at home but detached enough not to have distractions"). The only difficulty is clocking off; with a recording studio and a well stocked mini–bar also in the space, the amount of time he spends has become, "a touchy subject" with his wife, "I'm thinking of creating a secret garden for myself behind the studio", he says, "but I haven't told her yet". The shed mentality, it seems, is hardwired into the male psyche.</p> /news-press/2006/06/01/press-june-2006//news-press/2006/05/30/press-2006/<p>Publication: <b>The Daily Telegraph</b> </p> <p> Publication Date: <b> 30th May 2006</b> </p> <p> Article title: <b> Richard Dorment reveiws the outstanding new Constable Exhibition</b> </p> <p> Article content: "The aesthetics of ecospace gardens studios are truly eye–catching: a cross between a sauna and a luxury apartment. Choose between modular structures or a bespoke design. The heated and insulated buildings have a suspended timber floor and can be erected in three days ready for immediate use. You can even include a vast window/door to maximize the view of the garden."</p> /news-press/2006/05/30/press-2006//news-press/2005/11/18/press-november-2005/<p> Publication:<b> Building Design, CMP</b> </p> <p> Publication Date:<b> 18th November 2005</b> </p> <p> Article Title:</b> How to reduce on site build time for fast track prefab studios</b> </p> <p> Article content: "The studios are a response to a homeowners' demand for additional living or work space without the inconvenience of building a traditional house extension."</p> <p><strong>The challenge:</strong> To reduce on site build time for fast–track prefab studios</p> <p><strong>The solution:</strong> Devise an adjustable bearing to support the floor."</p> /news-press/2005/11/18/press-november-2005/