Forest Hills Living Annex

All images courtesy of Studio Nicholas Venezia.

When our clients approached us with their 350-square-foot rear yard garage, it was in dire shape, with a caved-in roof and crumbling walls. Despite these challenges, we saw the potential to transform this neglected structure into a flexible, serene indoor/outdoor living space for a family of four.

Working in New York requires careful navigation of building codes and zoning rules, which can feel like a negotiation at every step. For this project, we framed the design as a renovation, rather than a reconstruction, retaining over 50 percent of the original garage. We reused the foundation and masonry walls, keeping the project within budget while preserving the character of the existing building.

The design features a new roof that mirrors the original silhouette but extends deeper eaves for protection from the elements. To achieve the clients’ goal of a seamless indoor/outdoor connection, we incorporated two sets of wide French doors, filling the interior with natural light and opening the space to the backyard