# O'Sullivan Skoufoglou Architects Completes London Garden Studio A minimalist timber and brick workspace designed for creative professionals in Highbury. - **Source:** [Architecture news and projects | Dezeen](https://brifing.si/source/50c21201-9cc6-48e0-8a7c-6ea605af10c3) - **Published:** 2026-10-31 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/beb2f391-0fc2-4abc-9378-0d90dc2e3047 ## Strategic Site Placement O'Sullivan Skoufoglou Architects positioned this studio at the garden's edge to maintain landscape continuity. By placing the structure away from the Victorian home, the architects preserved essential sightlines. This placement ensures the new building feels distinct from the main residence while remaining accessible via a short walk through the lush garden. ## Material Palette Selection The studio features a low brick base that mirrors the boundary walls of the existing Victorian property. This plinth supports a lightweight timber frame, chosen specifically to keep the upper structure visually unobtrusive. The combination of brick and timber creates a modest profile that respects the site's historical architectural context. ## Interior Workspace Design The interior layout prioritizes a main open workspace alongside a functional bathroom. A built-in desk extends along the east-facing window wall, serving as the primary focal point of the room. This arrangement integrates the working surface directly with natural light and the surrounding garden views, enhancing the daily creative experience. ## Daylight and Visual Connection Large east-facing windows ensure the workspace remains well-lit throughout the day. Smaller, strategically placed windows frame specific views of mature trees while simultaneously shielding the interior from neighboring properties. These design choices ensure that the changing daylight and garden scenery become integral components of the user's professional environment. ## Architectural Intentions Co-founder Amalia Skoufoglou emphasized that the building was designed to be quiet yet present within its environment. The studio avoids competing with the main Victorian house, instead relying on its proportions and construction quality to define its character. Its modest scale reinforces the building's identity as a secondary garden structure. ## Historical Design References The use of a low brick plinth pays homage to traditional Victorian glasshouses, which were historically supported by similar masonry foundations. By referencing these classic structures, the architects successfully blended modern workspace requirements with local architectural heritage. This design choice ensures the new studio feels grounded within its specific London setting. ## Textural Interior Finishes Inside, the design highlights raw materials by leaving the timber structure exposed at the roof level. The brick plinth remains visible, while the walls are lined with painted pine to provide a clean, neutral backdrop. These textures interact with shifting daylight to create a calming atmosphere for the filmmaker and artist. ## Contextual Industry Comparison This project joins a growing trend of bespoke garden studios in London, such as the hempcrete-based Gardenhide Studio or the Shou Sugi Bangers music space. These projects reflect a broader shift toward creating specialized, detached workspaces that prioritize natural light, privacy, and a strong connection to the immediate outdoor environment. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.dezeen.com/2026/10/31/osullivan-skoufoglou-architects-garden-studio/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._