Green-Roofed, Mirrored Watergraafsmeer Garden Studio Reflects Light & Greenery in Amsterdam

Garden space is a luxury in Amsterdam, so it's a shame to build over part of a backyard for more living space. Watergraafsmeer-based firm <a href="http://www.cc-studio.nl/" target="_blank">CC-Studio</a> solved this conundrum with their beautiful <a href="http://www.cc-studio.nl/images/stories/GardenStudio.pdf" target="_blank">Garden Studio</a>, which is topped with sedum and makes use of mirrors to reflect light and greenery. The mirrors give the impression that both the studio and the garden are much larger than they are while creating a lovely view from the back of the home.

Maarten and Lori Lens-FitzGerald wanted to expand their living space without sacrificing their yard, so they tasked <a href="http://www.cc-studio.nl/" target="_blank">CC-Studio</a> to come up with a plan.

Replacing existing garden sheds in the back corners of the yard, CC-Studio's solution was rather unique.

The new garden studio sits along the back boundary and provides space for a new sunny deck, an office that doubles as an extra room, and storage space.

Sedum covers the roof and one side of the angular volume, while mirrors are used on the other facades.

The <a href="http://inhabitat.com/green-roof/">living roof</a> and walls expand the garden by using space otherwise occupied by materials.

Meanwhile the mirrors serve to reflect the garden making it seem larger than it really is.

The mirrors also help to bounce light around the yard and direct it into the home and into otherwise shady spaces.

Skylights on the roof pull natural light into the studio and the storage area.

CC-Studio optimized the design by altering the angles of the mirrored facades to get the best results.

They were aided by their colleagues at <a href="http://b29studios.nl/" target="_blank">B29 Studios</a> and <a href="http://www.ebontwerp.nl/" target="_blank">eb Ontwerp</a>, and the project was completed in March 2012.

Wire model of the studio before construction and old sheds in the back.

Construction of the garden studio.

Floorplan of the garden studio.