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Before & After – Would You Live In a Garage?

By Eric Meunier

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We are being serious here, would anyone out there live in a garage?

Well, French architects firm Fabre | de Marien accepted the challenge and succeeded to convert a 441 square-foot double garage located in Bordeaux, France, into a nice living place for a single or a couple!

Before

Before & After

Passage Buhan by Fabre | de Marien:

“This project consists of the transformation of a garage into a single level, one roomed residential dwelling of 41 m2.

Since the practice creation 5 years ago, inscribed within our methodology lies a belief that one should ‘build the city within the city’, by doing so, transforming the building fabric of existing commercial properties, storage depots, factories and residential buildings.

The buildings face the length of a private route meaning each property owner possesses half of this space. The garage’s only elevation onto this passage was one of 6m in length yet the other faces were either blind or shared party walls.

A patio measuring 4m long by 2.20m wide was created and placed within the new buildings interior. This space allows both natural lighting and ventilation for the new special organization. It provides also an extension to the main living area for during good weather feasible with the large sliding windows.

The interior is completely hollowed out and now glazed by the patio. In order to clear the largest space possible and to benefit of its varied special qualities despite its size, all the main essential living requirements excluding the kitchen which fronts the passage, is concentrated within a box measuring 3.60m long by 3m wide by 3m high.

This box, in its polished finish contains a shower room and its functionaries, the boiler, washing machine, a dressing room, a sofa/bed convertible when needed, an office, storage space, a staircase and a sleeping space above.

The new façade is finished in timber in reference to the other interventions, which already exist in the passage, a former stable with its external timber gates discounting that they are entirely made from wood and the façades of the commercial properties at ground level of another building, again all made in timber.

Hence the new timber panels are narrow and jointed and positioned vertically.”


Photos by: Jérémie Buchholtz
Via ReflexDeco

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About Eric Meunier

Currently the Owner and Chief Executive of HODYO Design, Eric Meunier's expertise in the design industry spreads over 20 years. He was the driving force behind HomeDSGN's early success, founding this website in 2011. Today, he loves to channel his passion for design into remodeling houses and transforming interior spaces with his keen eye for detail and architectural finesse. Learn more about HomeDSGN's Editorial Process.

7 thoughts on “Before & After – Would You Live In a Garage?”

  1. I would prefer a garage above living on the road. Thought it is not a perfect start, I think.
    But you guys found a way out!! I suggest to add some (cimbling) plants, inside outside.
    May even on the roof? Just tryin to add some more live into you design. Sorry I can’t judge your drawings,
    have fun, Toon.

    Reply
  2. I live in a two story, one car garage, and I absolutely love it! though the design is not nearly as modern or visually appealing, I almost couldnt imagine living in an apartment at this point! I dont have neighbors to worry about noise, I have a lot of light and I fit quite nicely! I would love to see what these guys could do with my space!

    Reply
  3. This is one great conversion. I just wonder about the bedroom height, how would people live in such a space.

    Anyway great design.

    Reply

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