A couple living in a detached Victorian house on one of the lanes south of Westerham village wanted a shared fitness space in their garden. They’d recently retired and were keen to stay active without the drive to the nearest gym in Sevenoaks or Oxted. Their garden was just under an acre, with mature rhododendrons, a vegetable patch and long views across the Weald towards Crockham Hill. We designed a 5m x 4m garden gym and positioned it at the edge of the lawn where it could take in the countryside views.

The design blended with the rural setting. We used larch cladding on the exterior, which will weather to a soft silver-grey over time, and kept the roofline low to sit comfortably below the treeline. Inside, the gym was fitted with cork composite flooring for joint comfort, a wall-mounted ballet barre for stretching, and space for an exercise bike and a rowing machine. Large sliding doors on the front elevation open fully in summer to let the outside in.

They told us they use it every morning without fail. She does Pilates while he rows, and afterwards they sit on the deck with a cup of tea and enjoy the view. It’s become the centrepiece of their retirement routine, and they’ve told us they only wish they’d done it sooner.

A property surveyor who moved to Westerham from south London needed a professional home office where she could write reports, take client calls and store project files without converting a room in the house. The property was a 1930s detached home with a generous south-facing garden that looked out towards Chartwell and the surrounding National Trust countryside. We recommended our Maxi model and positioned it to make the most of that stunning outlook.

The office was fitted with a built-in desk along one wall, a plan chest for storing survey drawings, and a seating area by the entrance for client meetings. We installed a high-speed data connection via an armoured cable from the house, a wall-mounted monitor arm and integrated task lighting. The interior was finished in a clean, professional white with engineered oak flooring, and the full-height front glazing frames the view of the garden and the hills beyond.

She told us the office has made a huge difference to how she works. Clients are always impressed when they visit, and the view towards Chartwell is a constant reminder of why she moved out of London. She’s recommended us to three neighbours already, and we’re in discussions with one of them about a garden studio for their pottery business.