This might mean hooking up your structure to the house’s main system or fitting a dedicated alternative, such as a small air source heat pump.Ĭonsidering the layout and amenities is key to creating a successful working environment. If you are planning on working in your home office through the winter months then you’ll need to make sure the structure is well insulated and that efficient heating and ventilation options are in place. Here’s what Lily Bernheimer says to consider at the design stages to ensure you get a space that’s conducive to productive working all year round:īiophilia: natural elements, materials and viewsĪtmosphere: light, air quality and temperatureĮnergy: reducing use of resources and wasteĪir quality and temperature also play a big part in feeling comfortable in any room. “We can provide FSC/PFC certification if the client requests it.” Creating a Balanced Environment “All of our oak is sourced from mills in France and Germany and comes from managed forests,” says Katie Archer, Oakwrights Country Buildings project manager. For instance, building with timber that has been treated with eco-friendly, non-toxic finishes can drastically improve the quality of your space. Think about the health-supporting characteristics of the materials you use, too. If you’re keen on something that feels like a more classic garden structure, an orangery could do the trick, although be aware of overheating and sunlight on computer screens. This handy acronym stands for biophilia, atmosphere, layout, amenities, noise, cohesion, energy and design.īiophilia relates to affinity with the natural environment, while atmosphere means thinking about elements such as the view from your desk and the quality of air, light and temperature. Once you’ve figured out where you stand with planning, you’ll need to think of a design that’s not only visually appealing but also practical for day-to-day work.Īccording to Lily Bernheimer, founding director of Space Works consulting, an easy assessment of your working space is to follow the BALANCED checklist.
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“With this experience we also offer a full planning service, which includes the submission and monitoring of the application, as well as making amendments in line with requirements.” How to create the best office layout The interior is lined with birch plywood and a large rooflight fills the room with daylight, while an oak pocket door creates the entrance The team at Surman Weston designed this cork-clad garden building. Structures erected within 2m of a boundary can be no taller than 2.5m. It’ll have to be single storey with a maximum eaves height of 2.5m, and an overall height of 4m with a dual pitched roof (3m for other types). If you want to create a garden room suitable for office use under PD rights, it will need to fall under certain rules. Many people working from home do so alone, in which case planning permission for an office isn’t usually needed.īut, if you are employing staff who will come in on a daily basis or are holding several meetings, it could be classed as business use and, moreover, might be disruptive to your neighbours – in which case you will need to get the planners involved before you start any construction. Do I need planning permission for a home office? Your answers should give you a rough idea if your outbuilding falls within the boundaries of permitted development (PD) or if you’ll need to submit a formal planning application to your local authority. Setting up a home office in a separate structure from your house could be the ideal route to avoiding a long or busy commute.īut will you need planning permission to set up this kind of zone? The key factors to consider are who is going to be using the office, how often and what type of business you’ll be carrying out.