Houzz Tour: Ingenious Garage Makeover in Bordeaux

See the stunning solution that turned a dark, tiny garage into a shining example of small-space living

When your budget’s tight, you get creative when searching for a new home. French photographer Jérémie Buchholtz wanted a modern house but didn’t want to break the bank. When he found an old garage for sale near downtown Bordeaux, France, Buchholtz pounced on it and recruited architecture firm FABRE/deMARIENto see if it had potential as a living space. In 6 months, the team transformed this 441-square-foot garage into a sleek and modern home for one, with a stunning solution for space-saving and privacy at its core.

FABRE/deMARIEN

This former garage is located on a street on the East Bank of the Rive Droite in Bordeaux, France. Although the location of this space is close to the city center, that bit of luck happened by pure chance. Buchholtz and the architects were much more interested in finding a space the right size and cost to convert.

FABRE/deMARIEN

The exterior paneling and the patio are made out of pine, a relatively affordable wood.Lockable sliding wood panels open the home to the street.

FABRE/deMARIEN

You enter via a 13' x 7' patio and sliding glass doors.

FABRE/deMARIEN

The team installed plumbing and electricity, and divided the space according to function. A small kitchen with all the essential appliances sits on one wall towards the front of the structure. The compact kitchen leaves room to serve dinner for 6.

FABRE/deMARIEN

A 12' x 10' x 10' wooden cube in the center of the home contains a hidden shower, sink, bathroom, washing machine, dressing room and toilet. A desk, a sofa/convertible bed, and storage space were built into right exterior side of the cube, while a staircase on the left leads up to a mezzanine sleeping area.

FABRE/deMARIEN

A small sleeping space tucked into the top of the cube is just enough room for a bed, clothes storage and a bookshelf. A skylight keeps the sloped ceiling from feeling too close and allows for natural light in the tiny nook.

FABRE/deMARIEN

A built-in desk along the side of the cube neatly contains Buchholtz's computer accessories. The sofa converts into a bed for overnight guests and serves as the perfect cozy spot to watch the wall-mounted TV.

FABRE/deMARIEN

Buchholtz wanted everything to be as functional and simple as possible. Putting the living essentials in this cube allows for privacy and a clean, open look.

FABRE/deMARIEN

The shower within the cube is accessed by a door near the stairs to the upper sleeping space. The toilet room is tucked just underneath the stairs inside the cube.

FABRE/deMARIEN

The space is completely enclosed when the pine gates are shut and locked. A smaller panel over the kitchen window can be opened to let light in the front side of the house.

"Working in a small space is challenging, but it's often more rewarding," says Jennifer Dooner, an architect at FABRE/deMARIEN. "We feel that by compressing certain daily activities into a smaller volume, without compromising aesthetic or function, we were able to offer the client the space he wanted."

FABRE/deMARIEN

A before shot shows a glimpse of the dilapidated garage before the makeover. Essentially everything but the main structure was redone, although the team did keep the concrete floors.

Working with the creative client was definitely a highlight for this design team. Buchholtz encouraged them to push the boundary — and they did. "It was a pleasure working with someone who was creative and open and who was really passionate about the space that we had designed for him," says Dooner. 

Source:- http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/1121351/list/houzz-tour-ingenious-garage-makeover-in-bordeaux