When your budget’s tight, you get creative when searching for a new home. A house that was modern was wanted by french photographer Jérémie Buchholtz but did not want to break the bank. When he discovered an old garage available near downtown Bordeaux, France, Buchholtz pounced on it and recruited design firm FABRE/deMARIEN to see whether it had potential as a living area. In 6 months, the group shifted this 441-square-foot garage to a sleek and modern house for you personally, with a magnificent solution for space-saving and solitude in its core.

FABRE/deMARIEN

This previous garage is located on a street on the East Bank of the Rive Droite in Bordeaux, France. Although the location of this space is near the city centre, that bit of luck occurred by pure chance. Buchholtz as well as the architects were far more interested in finding a space the right size and price to convert.

FABRE/deMARIEN

The terrace and the exterior paneling are made from walnut, a wood. Lockable sliding wood panels open the house .

FABRE/deMARIEN

You enter through a 13′ x 7′ terrace and sliding glass doors.

FABRE/deMARIEN

The team installed electricity and plumbing, and split the space based on function. A little kitchen with all the appliances that are essential sits on a single wall to the front of the structure. The streamlined kitchen leaves space to serve dinner .

FABRE/deMARIEN

A 12′ x 10′ x 10′ wooden block in the center of the house contains a concealed shower, bathtub, bath, washing machine, dressing room and bathroom. A desk, a sofa/convertible bed, and storage area were constructed into right exterior side of the block, even though a staircase on the left leads up to a mezzanine sleeping area.

FABRE/deMARIEN

A little sleeping area tucked into the cover of the block is just enough space for a bed, clothing storage plus a bookshelf. A skylight retains the sloped ceiling out of feeling overly close and permits for natural lighting in the small nook.

FABRE/deMARIEN

A built-in desk across the face of the block neatly comprises Buchholtz’s accessories. The couch converts to a bed for overnight guests and serves as the perfect cozy place to observe the wall-mounted TV.

FABRE/deMARIEN

Buchholtz wanted everything to be functional and easy as possible. Placing the living essentials allows for a clean look and solitude.

FABRE/deMARIEN

The shower inside the block is accessed by a door near the staircase to the upper resting area. The bathroom room is tucked just underneath the staircase inside the block.

FABRE/deMARIEN

The space is enclosed when the pine gates are closed and locked. A smaller panel within the kitchen window could be opened to let light in front of the house.

“Working in a small area is hard, but it’s often more rewarding,” states Jennifer Dooner, an architect in FABRE/deMARIEN. “We believe that by squeezing particular daily activities to a smaller quantity, without compromising function or aesthetic, we were able to offer the customer the space he wanted.”

Before Photo

FABRE/deMARIEN

A before shot reveals a glimpse of the garage before the makeover. Essentially everything but the main structure was even though the floors were kept by the staff redone.

Working with the creative customer was certainly a highlight for this design group. Buchholtz encouraged them to push on the border — they did. “It was a joy working with a person who had been open and creative and that was really passionate about the space we had designed ,” states Dooner.

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