![The Garage Gem / Office Ou - Exterior Photography, Wood](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5ec6/0033/b357/653e/6e00/00bb/newsletter/The_Garage_Gem-8_-_Adrian_Ozimek.jpg?1590034472)
-
Architects: Office Ou
- Year: 2019
-
Photographs:Adrian Ozimek
-
Manufacturers: BL Woodworking, Bliss Nor-Am Steel Doors and Windows, Roanoak, SSAB GreenCoat, Trimble, Zita Terrazzo & Tile
-
Lead Architect: Sebastian Bartnicki
![The Garage Gem / Office Ou - Exterior Photography, Wood, Glass](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5ec6/0115/b357/653e/6e00/00c0/newsletter/The_Garage_Gem-10_-_Adrian_Ozimek.jpg?1590034645)
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](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5ec5/ff74/b357/653e/6e00/00b7/newsletter/The_Garage_Gem-6_-_Adrian_Ozimek.jpg?1590034254)
![The Garage Gem / Office Ou - Image 13 of 19](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5ec5/fe65/b357/653e/6e00/00b2/newsletter/Floor_Plan.jpg?1590034011)
![The Garage Gem / Office Ou - Interior Photography, Dining room, Table, Chair, Beam, Windows](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5ec6/0057/b357/653e/6e00/00bd/newsletter/The_Garage_Gem-9_-_Adrian_Ozimek_(featured_image).jpg?1590034509)
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](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5ec5/feca/b357/65d5/2a00/020d/newsletter/The_Garage_Gem-5_-_Adrian_Ozimek.jpg?1590034112)
![The Garage Gem / Office Ou - Image 15 of 19](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5ec5/ff89/b357/65d5/2a00/0211/newsletter/Street_Elevation.jpg?1590034306)
![The Garage Gem / Office Ou - Exterior Photography, Wood](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5ec6/0142/b357/653e/6e00/00c1/medium_jpg/The_Garage_Gem-11_-_Adrian_Ozimek.jpg?1590034715)
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](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5ec5/fea3/b357/653e/6e00/00b3/medium_jpg/The_Garage_Gem-4_-_Adrian_Ozimek.jpg?1590034048)