Unique Circular Garden Rooms, modular school buildings and lodges - Handcrafted in the UK
We’ve recently been engaging with several schools and nurseries about the astonishing benefits of changing the shape of classroom environments to enhance engagement with pupils and further improve school facilities. As a small and passionate team of eco-builders, we are absolutely convinced that there is no better shape to nurture, inspire, engage and support our youngsters than the round.
Of course, it goes without saying that there is nothing more organic and natural than a group of people settling down together in a circle. As hardened “Roundhouse Enthusiasts” we are always on the lookout for scientific research papers which validate our claims that the round is the most natural form of space for human emotional and physical wellbeing. It all starts in our mothers womb!
We have now discovered that some psychologists agree with us; and that a circular seating arrangement may encourage a greater sense of belonging within a group and improve the rates of interaction between people.
Where better to foster these principles than in the classroom?
Of course, the Roundhouse is the most ancient form of architecture known to man… and that blows our mind!
So, our research tells us that the effects on classroom seating arrangements can affect the question-asking behaviour of children. Judging by the dates and origins of these studies, this is clearly an international debate which has been a consideration for psychologists for several decades.
A German study carried out by the Department of Psychology Institute of Housing Research at Otto-von-GuerickeUniversity in 1998 (Marx, Furher and Hartig) stated that:
“Although educational systems are now under intense scrutiny, educators and educational critics tend to ignore two facts. First, classrooms are physical entities as well as organisational units. Second, the physical characteristics of a classroom setting can influence the behaviour of its users.
Awareness of these facts is needed, as efforts to create high quality educational experiences for our children must include consideration of the physical milieu.”
In summary, the study revealed a positive effect of a semicircle seating arrangement on children’s question-asking, and demonstrated an action-zone effect on question asking in the traditional row-and column arrangement. Seating in other than the row-and-column arrangement deserves further consideration as a means to promote children’s question-asking in primary schools.”
According to “Desk Arrangement Effects on Pupil Classroom Behaviour – Peter Rosenfield (Department of Education University of California, Berkeley 1985):
Desks arranged in circles during classroom discussion can facilitate interaction as well as control for off-task behavior of pupils. The results suggest that desk arrangement influences participation, thinking, and appropriate comments, which in turn can have a positive effect on learning.
Teachers who wish to facilitate pupil interaction during discussion sessions would be wise to consider arranging desks in circles. In this study, circles facilitated on-task response as well as on-task out-of-order comment, suggesting that more active participation of students for developmental learning is affected positively by circles rather than row seating.
And one of the most interesting was a Japanese study, Circular seating arrangements: Approaching the social crux in language classrooms (Joseph Falout Nihon University, Japan) claimed that “Abstract Circular seating arrangements can help instil a sense of belonging within classroom communities with overall positive effects on learning, emotions, and well-being.”
Joseph Falout states within his report “I began to understand how circular seating in any classroom context might not only be relevant for learning but crucial for well-being.”
“The circle itself has become a worldwide symbol of unity and strength and simply sitting in a circle promotes the same effect” (Pease & Pease, 2006, p. 339). Social interaction is encouraged by sociopetal spaces, such as a small circle of chairs around a coffee table. Sociopetal spaces can bring people together, excite their senses, endear each one to the others, create an atmosphere of mutual care, and stimulate the entire circle into a social action zone.”
………………………….Well, that’s enough evidence for us!
We’re thrilled and delighted to be building classrooms and modular buildings for UK schools and nurseries.
To be working with cutting edge building techniques on gorgeous buildings whilst actively improving the learning experience for children (and teachers!) around the country is a wonderful feeling; so we will be updating you with the feedback from our unique and uplifting learning environments as the positive feedback continues to roll in from our happy clients!
Until then, happy “Back to School” everyone – and enjoy the Autumn!
From all of us at Rotunda x
On the right footing… foundation types for garden rooms
Have you been wondering about which type of foundation system might be right for you and your garden room? If so, you’re not alone; we’re asked on a daily basis about the wide array of options discussed with groundworks experts and we have several of the preferred types to highlight for you as a reference:
Solid Concrete Slab This is the preferred option for most Garden Room Suppliers and Groundworks Professionals alike, it’s quick to prepare, it’s the most solid foundation system available and is wonderful for the Garden room installers but the one downside is that this system is not very environmentally friendly. Concrete slab foundation systems are normally formed to the same external diameter of the garden room and a minimum of 100mm thick. A client of ours has just had her slab installed in advance of her Rotunda arriving and an example of it is shown below:
Average cost for a 4.5m diameter Garden Room £1,500 – £1,950 —————————————————————————————————————————————————–
Swift Plinth and Eco-Base Foundation System
This is a neat little system which supports the Rotunda on a dozen or so ‘feet’ which are small recycled concrete ‘pyramids’ sitting on top of plastic eco-grids which are 1m x 1m in size (which are set about 10cm down in the soil and packed with hardcore or gravel) at load-bearing intervals around the perimeter to support a timber sub-frame.
I think of this eco-grid system as the equivalent to the Eskimo tennis racket shoe used to avoid sinking down into snow! This means, less concrete, less digging, less time and more flexibility (ie: each footing has an adjustable bracket). The company which provides these also create the plastic grid system which you may have seen used as temporary car-parks in fields and rural areas. The footings themselves are a little expensive though and this system does require a timber sub-frame which would elevate your building up by another 20cm or so. This isn’t the cheapest option, but is probably the most time and energy efficient.
(Average cost for a 4.5m diameter Garden Room £1000 – £2500) —————————————————————————————————————————————————–
- Foundation Block Foundation System The most commonly used system we’ve encountered to date and it comes in at a lower cost than the above options but is more labour intensive and involves a lot of digging. Essentially, holes are dug-out to a depth of between 80cm and 1 metre at regular intervals (spaced out every 40cm to support floor joists) and then foundation blocks built up with cement and hardcore to provide solid ‘pillars’ which support the building. The blocks must protrude at least 10cm from the surface area of the ground to provide air-flow underneath the building.
(Average cost for a 4.5m diameter Garden Room £800 – £1400)
All of the foundation systems mentioned above should also utilise full membrane systems both above and below the footings, to protect the timber elements of the building resting on it and to prevent growth of vegetation coming up from below.
Of course, each and every foundation system available is hugely dependent on the site location, the soil type and gradient of the land. It’d be best to check with a local groundworks contractor before deciding on installing any type of building on you property and obtaining several quotes to ensure you get the best deal. If you’re ever in doubt, feel free to call us at Rotunda (0161) 222 3350 and one of our joiners will be able to assist over the phone or pop over and give you some advice as part of our non-obligation site-survey service!
Have a great weekend everyone!
Above & Beyond: Eco Furnishings
Today we were tasked with a slightly unusual request; – To source a high quality, ethically made, circular rug to feature in the centre of a client’s 4.5m Rotunda, “Roundel”. We enthusiastically obliged, excited at the opportunity to further our research into Eco furnishings to suit our Eco garden buildings.
It’s not uncommon for us to receive enquiries for bespoke furnishings for Rotundas, and it is one of the most exciting aspects of offering such an innovative garden room as it opens up so many opportunities to source creative alternatives to the bog standard fixture and fittings. What is even more fantastic is that because the Rotunda is such a beautiful and ethical piece of craftsmanship, it inspires our clients to rethink their usual furniture options and instead seek out pieces that reflect the quality of their garden building, often opting for natural and Eco alternatives.
After a bit of research into environmentally friendly rugs we came across ‘rag rugs’ which are usually made from cloth scraps, old sheets, and up-cycled t-shirts. Due to the nature of the materials, the finished result is colourful and intricate, and looks both beautifully simple and yet strangely complex; not unlike a Rotunda. It was immediately clear that this fantastic example of Eco furnishings was the perfect addition to a circular Eco-building.
Once we had confirmed that the ‘rag rug’ concept was one to be pursued it wasn’t long before we not only found a wonderful craftswoman who makes beautiful, large rugs from organic cotton, but also the perfect design to suit Roundel’s spirit. The circular Eco rug, is crafted from a long braid of fabric that spirals outwards to create a mesmerising pattern of colour and texture. The particular creation which caught our eye transitioned from warm yellow to light teal creating an image of a golden sun radiating out into a clear sky which we thought mirrored the ideal view through the central dome of the Rotunda’s cathedral roof beautifully.
As a modular buildings manufacturer we could easily refuse to offer any kind of soft furnishing advice and many companies in our industry believe firmly that their obligations extend no further than providing the base building; even a paint finish is considered an optional extra. We believe that Rotunda is more than just an Eco building and that we are actually creating a full space that enriches the lives of those who use it; if this calls for us to go above and beyond then we are happy to accept that challenge.
If you are interested in developing your own Rotunda space with us then please don’t hesitate to get in contact and begin your journey to creating your own creative solutions in the round.
Size Matters: Tiny Houses and why living smaller is better.
Over the last few decades we have been bombarded with slogans and messages informing us that ‘Bigger is Better’ and encouraged us to believe that happiness, success and even value are directly associated to size. This thinking is also applied to our homes. We often use the size of our abode as a physical representation of our success, and forget what our actual living requirements are, for example if you live alone and spend most of your time out of your house, do you really need those additional four bedrooms?
Thankfully more and more people are starting to break the mould and a large movement has formed supporting the creation and development of Tiny House Living, which encourages people to reassess their actual spacial needs. By drastically reducing the amount of house space available, people are being challenged to really consider the design of their environment; leading to some highly creative and very clever solutions being found.
There are also a number of other benefits of swapping your mansion for a small cabin house;
Easier Maintenance
A smaller house means smaller repairs and less general maintenance and upkeep. What’s more a number of tiny houses are constructed from timber, recycled materials, or natural building products which are much easier and cheaper to repair/replace.
Less Time Cleaning
Even an empty room can get messy and dirty! A smaller space means less time can be spent on keeping it clean.
Saves Money
A smaller house is cheaper to build, cheaper to buy, and cheaper to run! Insurance, utilities, and taxes are all much lower for smaller properties which leaves you with more of your hard earn wages to spend on enjoying yourself.
Less Debt
As mentioned above, a smaller home is much cheaper which also leads to smaller mortgages, or in some cases can be built without a requirement for a mortgage at all!
More Land
Even if you haven’t got acres and acres of land, the smaller the footprint of your house, the more land you’ll have around it. This opens up more opportunities for growing your own produce, keeping chickens or bees, or even just creating a beautiful outdoor space to enjoy.
Closer Family Bonds
Smaller spaces mean more interaction between family members and strengthen family bonds. Of course it’s still important for everyone to have their own space, but with some imagination and a little bit of smart planning, the possibilities for creating a unique area for each family member are endless.
Easier Resell
Affordable houses are always more attractive to the housing market than expensive ones. With so many people struggling to find the funds for homes, being able to offer a quirky, more affordable option makes it highly desirable.
In addition there are also huge environmental benefits as having a smaller footprint also means; less resources spent, smaller carbon footprint, and less impact on the environment. Combining the small house design with an eco build such as straw bale, timber framed, earth bag, or cob is an even more sustainable option.
Tiny Houses can be made from the most unlikely of things too; from shipping containers to pre-fabricated units, metal silos to traditional wooden gypsy caravans. And just because it’s small it doesn’t mean it has to be ugly or low quality, in fact being able to spend less on the building itself means you could have extra to really splash out on the interior.
A shift in perspective…… windows in a modular building
Noun | 1. | window – a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air |
Our clients are often surprised to discover that their modular building windows are made to order, handcrafted by a local joinery firm who excel at detailed bespoke joinery and create a stunning curved sill which mirrors the external curve of the building.
Each and every garden modular building which leaves our workshop has had the windows designed to be suit a particular view or purpose, sited at the appropriate distances from each other and a specific size to suit our clients vision for a building they’ll be spending a great deal of time in.
The importance of having this option cannot be underestimated. Building in the round brings the unique advantage of being able to ‘rotate’ your Rotunda and play with the position of the doors and the windows which is quite impossible with a rectilinear counterpart.
Most contemporary square or rectangular garden rooms boast a fully glazed frontage, either bi-fold, sliding doors; or UPVC casements. This is wonderful if your garden-building is sitting squarely in the rear of the garden with no view of particular interest anywhere other than the front but what if one were siting their garden room adjacent to a field, meadow or sea-view to the rear/side or even a full panoramic setting – must they exclude certain views because these happen to be at the ‘back’ of the building? Does the door always have to be at the front? How creative can one be with a rectangle? Let’s face it, a box will always be a box.
Fortunately, for us, this never presents a problem; you see, the round is like a clock-dial. A wonderful opportunity presents itself when we can move the hands to any direction we might choose, or even better have as many hands as we like, pointing in every direction. One of our clients aligned her Rotunda with the directions of the magnetic compass points to meet her feng shui objectives. We commissioned some beautiful little ‘north, south, east & west’ carvings and positioned these little plaques along the internal roof-line to represent compass points and indicate which direction one may be facing as they move around within the building. Another client has asked us to design a Rotunda with double glazed windows positioned all the way around the whole perimeter of the building. Most of our clients have a hedge or a fence they’d like to keep out of view so we position the windows to align with the view.
Not the view aligning with the windows!
“The Burrow” a 4.5m Rotunda modular building which you can see below (currently being constructed) has just three floor to ceiling windows positioned as a bay configuration next to the door. This is just a small example of how windows can make a massive impact. Your view, your building and ultimately it should be your ideals and your vision which can be interpreted, designed, created and installed to suit your needs…… perfectly.
Below is a list of standard UK window sizes… these are a great starting point when considering what size might suit your Rotunda modular building.
• Window heights are 450mm, 600mm, 750mm, 900mm, 1050mm, 1200mm, 1350mm and 1500mm (17¾in, 24in, 29½in, 35½in, 41¼in, 47¼in, 53⅛in and 59in).
• Window widths are 488mm, 630mm, 915mm, 1200mm and 1770mm (19¼in, 24¾in, 36in, 47¼in and 69¾in).
Essentially, our ‘standard’ windows which form part of the package for a Rotunda are 900mm high and 630mm wide with the option to upgrade to full height (1500mm high) but with the right amount of imagination, you can disregard these sizes and make your own size, to suit you, to suit your garden and to suit your activities within the building.
Call us now if you have any questions relating to your preferred modular building window configuration and we’ll be happy to chat through your designs!
ps. fear not, a UPVC window, will never (ever) find its way into a natural, timber-framed Rotunda modular building.
Until then, enjoy the sun & enjoy your garden!
Blogpost written by Gemma
Rotunda Living – Discovering the Spirit of a Space
A few months ago we relocated our main offices from a beautiful rural space in the Cheshire countryside to an industrial estate just outside of Stockport. Whilst it was extremely sad to move from working in the warm, creative space of Luna, our show model Rotunda, we knew that is was the right thing to do as it also gave us the opportunity to grow our manufacturing unit as well as having the facilities to add more people to the Rotunda Family.
In true Rotunda style we had to have the most unusual unit available, and this came in the form of a converted roof-space at the back of the estate, overlooking a green bank of trees, flowers, and shrubs; Even though we were out of the countryside, we still found ourselves a lovely view. The office itself had been the showroom for a fitted furniture company, and whilst the craftsmanship of everything was extremely high, the heavy black wood coupled with the bare magnolia walls gave the rooms an imposing, straight edged, monochromatic atmosphere that definitely didn’t suit the softer, natural curves of Rotunda. Nevertheless, like a Rotunda, it had boundless potential to become anything we desired.
Several weeks passed and we were finding it really difficult to connect with our environment. Things were moving along smoothly enough, but there was still a sense of being unsettled, as though everything was only temporary. Finally we decided we had to make some changes and spent a week painting, clearing, and re-organising the office. The transformation was profound, and we instantly felt like we were in a place where we could thrive, but there was one more step we felt we needed to complete; we needed a proper energy space clearing.
The event took place on a Sunday afternoon when there would be no distractions, and lasted well into the evening. We were fascinated to watch as all of the negativity from the previous occupants was dispelled and the walls were infused with powerful Rotunda energy. The next morning it felt as though the entire building had breathed a giant sigh of relief and suddenly the space was alive. It was as though the very spirit of Rotunda had moved in, and even though we had found ourselves in a square environment, the power and embodiment of living in the round had managed to transfer itself into the office.
We have always been astounded by the number of testimonials we have received from clients, expressing the life changing effect that being in a Rotunda has had on them. We believe very strongly that every Rotunda is its own unique entity and our clients have always confirmed that there is indeed a very special energy, completely distinctive to their personal round space. It has therefore amazed us that this ‘Rotunda Effect’ is so strong, we have been able to apply it to a square building. Having spent so much time in the office before the transformation we were able to immediately recognise the difference.
It is important to recognise the skill involved in understanding space, particularly in clearing it of any imprints left by previous occupant. We have been fortunate to work with renowned architect and professional space clearer, Beverly Wood, who has already metamorphosed a number of client’s lives just through her work with their environment. It is worth noting that not every space clearer is legitimate and we thoroughly encourage anyone considering this practice to do their homework before committing to it.
We know that we are still only at the start of our journey developing the office into a true, creative Rotunda environment and our next challenge will be creating the actual furnishings. However, we are excited that we now have a clean, and positive canvas on which to work.
Blogpost written by Rhiannon Webster
Circle of Learning? Modular Eco-Classrooms for the Future
Eco-Classrooms – Circle of learning is more than a figure of speech
- learning : noun 1.the acquisition of knowledge or skills through study, experience, or being taught.
- teacher : noun plural noun: teachers
- 1.a person who teaches, especially in a school.
It’s no secret that the built environment is continuously shaping your thoughts, your mood, your productivity and your health. God only knows what it’s doing on a metaphysical level! Environmental Psychologists and Interior Designers certainly share the same passion; the impact of spaces which nurture and support their human inhabitants. I believe the two professions are more similar than most people would care to recognise.
So let me ask you this; which of the numerous built environments that we utilise on a regular basis could possibly be more important than those which support our children whilst they learn?
There have been countless studies of optimum office environments and eco-buildings for productivity but surely the humble classroom has to be one of primary importance, let there be no debate about this where we’re concerned! We firmly believe that a round eco-classroom offers a perfect environment for learning!
Anyone who’s familiar with the works of Rudolf Steiner (an Austrian philosopher, educationalist, social reformer, and architect) would be acutely aware of his unusual architectural style (no right angles if you please, these are CREATIVE spaces!) and the legacy he left in education. His education philosophy made him a prominent figure and Waldorf Schools are still respected by many.
Such visionaries will grace our planet from time to time and upset the balance of what we ‘think we know’ and I absolutely yearn for another Steiner to really shake things up at this point in our evolutionary development. It is about time that architects and designers stand firm to their values and design exclusively around the intended use of the building, to enhance the experience of those who will be spending time in it. This is especially significant for Educational Buildings within schools, nurseries or universities.
One school actively thinking in ‘circles’ purely to enhance it’s capacity as a learning environment is showcased in a very short video clip on the BBC Learning Zone website which I’d urge any architecture fanatic to watch!
So what’s the secret to creating an inclusive, productive and enhanced eco-classroom learning environment? To me, it’s an absolute no-brainer that the design process includes figuring out what happens in the space and scouring the internet and talking to teachers and psychologists to gleam information on any research which has been carried out on the effect of learning environments and seating patterns.
Some research which has led us to believe that a circle is the ideal configuration for interaction is echoed in the report which highlights two studies which compared rows to a circular seating arrangements carried out in 2000.
In a nutshell, Marx, Furher and Hartig “investigated the relationship between seating arrangements and the question-asking patterns of ten year olds. They found that students asked their teacher significantly more questions when they were seated in a semi-circle than in rows.
As one of those who disliked school immensely, I believe that learning can not only be enhanced by the environment and teaching methods but also by promoting friendships and shared experience. Below, I have extracted part of an article which jumped out at me recently which echoes my thoughts on forging bonds and facilitating learning.
—————————————————————————————————————————————————-
“Teachers are using a traditional technique to help students communicate with one another as a way to build bonds that will foster learning and help them stay in school.”
“It’s story time at Amelia Earhart Continuation School, a place where high school students who have ditched class, flunked out or otherwise fallen behind in their academic credits come to catch up.
On this day, the students in Nancy Stringer’s English class sit in a circle. As they pass around a “talking piece”, they share stories of elementary and middle school. It may seem simple, but sharing stories in this way — a practice known as “council” — has made a huge difference in their lives, building strong bonds that have helped them stay in school. Cultures worldwide have long used speaking and listening circles — most notably, Native Americans. But now a modernized form, developed by the nonprofit Ojai Foundation, has spread to 12,000 students via 600 trained teachers in more than 60 schools, many of them in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
Joe Provisor, who helped launch the program in the district in 2006, said research shows that strong school relationships are critical for a student’s success. “This is bringing humanity back to the schools,” said Provisor, a teacher advisor with the district’s office of curriculum,
—————————————————————————————————————————————————-
For those of us who might have been bullied, excluded or misguided at school; our experience and our education may have been improved remarkably if our school had adopted an approach similar to the one used by Amelia Earheart. Perhaps if this type of inclusive and supported open-interaction were promoted at all levels of education there would be no need for a ‘continuation school’ and just think about what this might do to reflect crime rates and youth offending statistics in the UK?
With a background in Primary School Education, the team at Rotunda Living are enormously excited about the impact an Eco-Classroom Rotunda could make as a unique eco-classroom environment and we’re keen to see how the circular environment can improve the effectiveness of your school or nursery. Let’s work together to promote learning and care for our children.
We’re here when you need us!
Copyright © Rotunda Eco Build Ltd.