Although all of our garden buildings have been bespoke to date, there are economies to be had in sticking with a standard design.  Also, because the planning rules changed 1 October 2008, there is a need for low rise structures which can be placed within 2 metres of boundaries so, our standard units are designed to meet this requirement.

If you need to check on planning issues, there is a great site: www.planningportal.co.uk

The Vivid Green philosophy of high levels of insulation plus good quality windows and doors still apply in our standard unit but, with standardising sizes, colours etc allows us to pass on discounts to customers.

There are two units in the range, the Penthouse 8 with 8 sq metres of floor space and a very contemporary, five sided look and the Penthouse 7.5, a rectangular building with 7.5 sq metres of floor space.  Both units have a porch and the Penthouse 8 has two bays for a window seat (with the potential for storage under) and desk whereas the Penthouse 7.4 has just one bay.

Both units are installed with surface mounted electrics, internal lighting, clad in treated Larch or Douglas Fir with a rubber membrane for the roof covering with a 15-20 year life.

The Penthouse 8 is priced at £9,890 and the Penthouse 7.5 at £9,530 (inclusive of VAT, delivery and installation in Herts, Beds and Bucks plus London, North of the Thames).

Penthouse 8

A striking, contemporary design with 'letter box' windows, a large porch and two bays

Penthouse 7.5

A high quality space with one bay and large single door

Seasonal buildings

In designing buildings for the leisure sector and with all the interest in ‘glamorous camping’, teepees, yurts and the like, we thought it would be helpful to clarify the level of comfort which can be expected from our products.  We have adopted the terms used to describe sleeping bags as a way of classifying the use to which our designs can be put.

Our Canvas lodges are essentially one season buildings, intended primarily for Summer use.  Supplementary heating can be provided from a wood burning stove and the lodges are an inexpensive way of providing additional accommodation during the busy Summer season.

Two season buildings are intended for accommodation during the Summer, Spring and Autumn.  With timber walls, a canvas ceiling and synthetic fly sheet our Pavilions also include a sleeping/play loft for youngsters so that the insulated mezzanine floor ensures the two bedrooms below are warm and cosy.  Heating is provided by a wood burning stove.  These structures are very flexible and can be as basic or as luxurious as you and your clients require.

Some clients see these buildings as simple, back to basics retreats and will only provide candle, battery or gas lighting and no electricity.  Hot water is provided by boiling a kettle on the stove which can also be used for cooking.  A WC can be installed as well as a sink but showers etc are usually provided in a separate block.  However, if you want to create a more luxurious experience the following upgrades are available:

• insulation to the walls
• shower
• hot water
• electricity.

We are currently building a 4.8 x 4.8m unit which will be on show from the end of January but the following drawings give an idea of how it will look.  External finishes can either be timber cladding or a rendered finish on cement particle board and there is a wide choice of colours and even patterns for the ceiling and fly.

For year round or three season use, our Penthouse range provides a comfortable structure with a high level of insulation together with underfloor heating.  Using Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs), the design options are endless and we can deliver any structure from a dormitory to a holiday lodge.  Where fossil fuels are being used for space heating we believe thermal efficiency should be at a high level so the insulation in the floor, walls and roof as well as the windows and doors of our structures meets (100 spec) or exceeds (150 spec) that required for new housing in the UK and ensures a very comfortable environment year round at reduced cost.

Invitation

We will have a canvas lodge and a pavilion on show from the end of January in Harpenden and, if you would like to see the buildings on any of the following days please email Nina to book a slot (nina@vividgreen.co.uk).

• Friday 6 February
• Saturday 7 February
• Monday 8 February