The Garage Gem / Office Ou

The Garage Gem / Office Ou - Exterior Photography, Wood, GlassThe Garage Gem / Office Ou - Interior Photography, Dining room, Table, Wood, Lighting, Beam, ChairThe Garage Gem / Office Ou - Exterior Photography, WoodThe Garage Gem / Office Ou - Exterior Photography, Glass, Garden, CourtyardThe Garage Gem / Office Ou - More Images+ 14

  • Architects: Office Ou
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2019
  • Photographs
    Photographs:Adrian Ozimek
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  BL Woodworking, Bliss Nor-Am Steel Doors and Windows, Roanoak, SSAB GreenCoat, Trimble, Zita Terrazzo & Tile
  • Lead Architect: Sebastian Bartnicki
More SpecsLess Specs
The Garage Gem / Office Ou - Exterior Photography, Wood, Glass
© Adrian Ozimek

Text description provided by the architects. This project stemmed from the desire to transform the traditional urban garage into a flexible amenity space. This small structure re-imagines the detached laneway garage (often an under-utilized storage space), and makes it into a true extension of the home, as well as an open event space to forge community bonds. The 'Garage Gem' strikes a balance between precious and utilitarian to support a wide range of uses: it is a functioning garage, a conservatory, occasional workshop, a three-season space for entertaining guests, dining, movie screenings, writing, and simply enjoying the quiet seclusion of the leafy rear yard.

The Garage Gem / Office Ou - Interior Photography, Dining room, Table, Wood, Lighting, Beam, Chair
© Adrian Ozimek
The Garage Gem / Office Ou - Image 13 of 19
Floor plan
The Garage Gem / Office Ou - Interior Photography, Dining room, Table, Chair, Beam, Windows
© Adrian Ozimek

The building features hardwearing terrazzo floors and countertops, an exposed douglas fir  structure, black-stained OSB sheathing, and meticulously detailed steel-framed windows and doors. The cedar exterior cladding will, in time, weather to blend in with the fence. In the yard between garage and house, a new outdoor kitchen repeats the theme of cedar and terrazzo, and custom designed globe lights tie the entire space together.

The Garage Gem / Office Ou - Exterior Photography, Wood
© Adrian Ozimek
The Garage Gem / Office Ou - Image 15 of 19
Street elevation
The Garage Gem / Office Ou - Exterior Photography, Wood
© Adrian Ozimek

Thanks to its large glazed conservatory doors, the garage gem can seamlessly connect to the diverse spaces around it: the laneway, connecting it to the neighbourhood, the backyard, connecting it to the home, and finally a small side garden for intimate gatherings.

The Garage Gem / Office Ou - Exterior Photography, Courtyard, Patio
© Adrian Ozimek

Project gallery

See allShow less
About this office
Cite: "The Garage Gem / Office Ou" 28 May 2020. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/940112/the-garage-gem-office-ou> ISSN 0719-8884

You've started following your first account!

Did you know?

You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.