A Platform with Plumbing – Residential Garden Access Solution

01. Introduction

Our client approached us with a unique request: they needed a garden platform that would allow them to fully enjoy the outdoors during the summer, while also maintaining seamless access from their home. The platform needed to be level with the internal floor of their house, ensuring easy transition between indoor and outdoor spaces. However, the project presented an unexpected challenge—garden hoses and waste pipes running across the area where the platform was to be installed. These obstructions threatened to make the installation complicated, potentially disrupting both the function and aesthetics of the platform.

02. Process

The client’s garden, like many residential outdoor spaces, featured essential but cumbersome elements such as garden hoses and waste pipes. These plumbing fixtures ran directly through the space where the platform was planned, and removing or altering them would have been both expensive and impractical. Additionally, opting for a traditional concrete platform would have required either removing the hoses entirely or encasing them in concrete, which would make future maintenance difficult and create complications in accessing the pipes.

The key challenges we faced included:

• Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Transition: The client wanted a platform that was level with their internal floor to provide smooth access between their home and garden.
• Obstruction by Plumbing Fixtures: Garden hoses and waste pipes were positioned in the path of the platform, making it necessary to create a solution that would allow access to these fixtures without compromising the platform’s functionality or appearance.
• Maintenance and Safety Considerations: The design needed to allow for easy maintenance of the hoses and pipes while ensuring the platform was safe and functional, with no tripping hazards or obstructions.

03. Solution

PARS RAMPS developed a custom modular platform solution that addressed all the client’s needs without requiring the removal or alteration of the existing plumbing. Our modular systems are inherently adaptable, allowing us to design around obstacles such as pipes and hoses while still delivering a sleek,
seamless platform.

Key Design Features

Seamless Access: The platform was designed to be level with the internal floor of the client’s home, ensuring a smooth, step-free transition between the indoor living space and the garden. This design not only enhances accessibility but also provides a clean, modern look that complements the home’s aesthetic.

Custom Platform Sectioning: Rather than attempting to remove or permanently enclose the hoses and waste pipes in concrete, we took advantage of our modular platform system’s flexibility. We created a section of the platform with a removable panel that allowed the hoses and pipes to remain in place and easily accessible. A kickledge was added around the section for safety, ensuring no tripping hazards were present while still allowing for full access to the plumbing as needed.

High-Grip, Self-Draining Flooring: Our platforms come equipped with high-grip, non-slip surfaces that are ideal for outdoor environments. In this case, the self-draining flooring was particularly beneficial, as it eliminated any risk associated with potential leaks from the garden hose. If water from the hoses were to spill or leak onto the platform, the surface would drain naturally, ensuring the platform remained dry and safe to use even in wet conditions.

Minimal Disruption: The installation was completed quickly and without significant disruption to the client’s garden. Because our modular systems require no invasive groundwork or permanent fixtures, the platform was able to stand on its own feet, preserving the garden’s layout and protecting any delicate landscaping features.

04. Conclusion

This project is a perfect example of how PARS RAMPS can provide custom access solutions that adapt to the unique needs of residential spaces. Whether you’re dealing with plumbing, uneven ground, or other challenges, our modular systems offer the flexibility and durability needed to create safe, stylish, and practical
access solutions.