Potting House

The Potting House was designed to replace an existing two-car garage that had fallen into disrepair. The existing garage structure was antiquated and did not appropriately serve the needs of the client, long-time residents of the property. The brief was a new structure to occupy the existing slab on grade foundation, but with a few new elements in addition to storage of two vehicles.

Above the new garage we placed new residential quarters replete with living space, a small kitchen with room for a table, a bathroom and a sleeping area that could be closed off from the rest of the program. The sleeping area doubles as a remote office space as the client sometimes chooses to work from home. A stair was added to the rear of the existing footprint, as well as a single-level garden house where the owner can engage in the cultivation of various plants and vegetables.

The original house was constructed in 1939. The Potting House relates to the period detailing and construction techniques of the existing house while providing a slightly more contemporary rendering of the interior spaces. Exposed rafters frame the vaulted ceilings while the interior wood cladding provides a soft, rich texture. As the surrounding vegetation matures, the Potting House will settle into its garden setting.

Photography Credit: Leonid Furmansky