SHJworks invisible garden house merges greenhouse + gazebo

SHJworks ‘invisible garden house’ merges greenhouse + gazebo
all images courtesy of SHJworks

danish designer simon hjermind jensen, principal of SHJworks, has created ‘invisible garden house’ as a means for enjoying outdoor living in the cool scandinavian climate. like a typical greenhouse, it is heated by the sun, and cooled with natural ventilation that is manually operable. the enclosure maintains comfortable temperatures in cool spring and fall months, and blocks strong winds.

the structure silhouetted against the bright summer sky

the structure is composed of two dimensional parts designed digitally and produced with a CNC mill. the material is durable UV protected polycarbonate with high impact-resistance. the panels and ‘stitching’ are connected with bolts to form a 3D volume over a polygonal wooden platform. the shells are then inserted into the ground below the frost line to support the garden house.

as the weather changes, the appearance of the garden house corresponds

this prototype was developed for a single family in copenhagen, but is easily replicated, and highly feasible for public spaces. the scalable tectonic can be reproduced with as many or as few domes as are desired by the client to meet programmatic needs. the first installation consists of three sections varying in height among 2,4 m, 2,7 m and 3,2 m, and ranging in diameter from 1,8 m,  to 2,4 m and 3,3 m respectively. the design could also be used in urban contexts and as a rooftop garden.

(left): the polycarbonate construction maintains a comfortable temperature for outdoors living in three seasons
(right): cherry tomatoes grow inside the garden house

three sections house ornamental flowers, an outdoor living room, and a vegetable garden

ventilation is regulated manually
(left): closed
(right): open

illuminated at night

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project info:

architect: SHJworks

client: private

cost: € 18.900,- ex. VAT. including materials (not flooring), production, assembly.