Garden Suite

Laneway Suites and Garden Suites are becoming more common, allowing for the conversion of existing garages or the creation of a new accessory building that can offer multi-generational living space, or rental income.

The original structure was a simple 2 car garage. The client wanted to create a 3 bedroom garden suite to generate rental income. In order to provide the necessary space, we would renovate a portion of the original garage area, and add a new 2nd floor, allowing it to cantilever as necessary and where possible. The 2nd floor would accommodate the main living spaces: kitchen, living, dining; as well as two bedrooms, bath, and laundry. The ground floor would feature an additional bedroom or study space, as well as a full bath, and entry space. The portion of the ground floor that is not converted to interior space remains as a covered outdoor seating area.

The Garden Suite enjoys a southern city view.  Perched just atop an escarpment with a schoolyard across the street, there are no buildings to obstruct a view all the way to the water.  Contrasting black horizontal siding was chosen to articulate the second floor as a separate architectural idea as it cantilevers in two directions over the white stucco on the ground floor. These two siding materials are shared by the primary dwelling unit on the lot, tying the two together as a pair of structures in the same composition.