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The project:
The Garden Cube is an entirely original 3mX3mX3m structure made with Colorbond and polycarbonate panels. These are bolted to a 3m square frame of 50mmX50mm angle steel frame then tilted upright and bolted together to male the walls. With a space frame wire and tarp roof, and a floor of synthetic turf it is the perfect indoor/outdoor structure complete with floating table/BBQ/fire pit, chairs and indoor/outdoor planting.
The basic structure costs about $1,000. Flat-packs perfectly, and can be assembled by one person. I am 72 years old and did everything by myself without any assistance.
- Materials:
- Colorbond corrugated sheets (https://www.bunnings.com.au/products/building-hardware/roofing/steel-roofing/colorbond-roofing),
- polycarbonate corrugated sheets (https://www.bunnings.com.au/suntuf-mini-orb-660-x-9mm-x-3m-polycarbonate-roofing_p1010937)
- Clear tarp (https://www.bunnings.com.au/polytuf-3-6-x-5-5m-clear-view-tarpaulin_p0351503)
- artificial turf (https://www.bunnings.com.au/diy-turf-1-x-1m-20mm-pile-grass-mat_p3300243)
- Tools:
The only power tool I used was an Ozito 12V cordless drill (https://www.bunnings.com.au/ozito-home-12v-cordless-drill-driver-kit_p0018378)
I also used a spanner, screwdriver and tin snips for the corrugated iron furniture.
- Step 1:
Walls: As described above and illustrated in the photo, a 3m X 3m frame is bolted together on the ground then the Colorbond or polycarbonate sheets bolted onto this frame. The strongest configuration consists of Colorbond (or Zincalum) sheets to the sides, which provides very strong bracing for the panel. The frames are then tilted into place supported on Besser blocks then bolted together at the corners. One wall has the sheets vertically, another the same sheets horizontally, another entirely transparent and the last uses painted hessian (which with corrugated roofing was used in widely in very early Colonial Australia housing).
- Step 2:
Floors: raised up on Besser blocks or flat on the ground. I laid down synthetic turf but could also use pavers, gravel, sand or compacted earth.
- Step 3:
I made a wire space frame roof with clear tarp, but of course Colorbond or polycarbonate roof sheets bolted to the 3m square frame could be used. Also a 3m X 3m gazebo roof or even the same size outdoor umbrella attached to the corners could be used.
- Step 4:
Because this is an entirely new design, I had to come up with entirely new furniture. As illustrated in the photographs, these include a 1m steel and olycarbonate cube for storage and support for plants, folding polycarbonate and wire table, polycarbonate and wire shelving, suspended transparent 1m square table which could support a BBQ or fire pit, chairs made from metal laundry hampers with cushions, 3m long Colorbond table and very tall corner Colorbond chair.
- Step 5:
The plants are both inside and outside, either in pots or garden bed (https://www.bunnings.com.au/120-x-90-x-30cm-merino-raised-garden-bed_p3321654) I have chosen veggies, climbers and an olive tree.
