An integral garage turned into a garden study

The garage had not held a car in ten years. The owners both work from home two days a week and wanted a room with a door that shuts and a view of something other than a wall.

The up-and-over door came out and we built the opening up in brick matched to the house on a new strip footing, with a window lined up to the ones beside it. At the back, a second opening got a triple window with a deep seat under it, looking onto the garden.

The floor was 140 mm below the hall. A damp-proof membrane, insulation and a new screed brought it level, and the walls and ceiling were lined to extension standard. Five weeks, and the rest of the house barely noticed.