Garage + Annexe - Architect recco?

[CrawfW]

Dear Hive Mind,

I am looking to build a four-car garage with annexe above it in the near future.

I have been reading on here, and elsewhere, to identify key design considerations: I want something which is “connoisseur quality”, not just a rectangle that you park in. As an example, I have been thinking of a raised section to allow a full-size car lift without having the whole first floor that much higher.

So-far, I have been unable to find an architect with any interest in these sorts of considerations. Indeed, in our part of Devon it is more common to find architects shocked at the suggestion I want to build that venerates the internal combustion engine rather that helping to fight the climate emergency. Uhhh.

So, two reasons for posting here.

1. Have you built (or bought) a garage that you are particularly proud of? If so, what are its special features?!

2. Most importantly, does anyone have contact details of the architect or similar who did the drawings….

On the architect point, it would obviously be great if it was someone based in the South West. Nonetheless, i think the Garage Specialist could be anywhere - we could integrate them with someone more local to ensure a stylistic match with the house (a 17C farmhouse).

[gareth h]

Make sure you have a healthy budget, I’ve had prices of £100 - £140 k to convert my single to a double with room above

[Simpo Two]

How about designing it yourself then finding a competent builder who can make it happen?

[PhilboSE]

Simpo Two said:

How about designing it yourself then finding a competent builder who can make it happen?

This is what I did, though I did get an architect to prepare quality plans for PP. But I gave him the floor plan, dimensions, design features etc. No creative input from him.

Key features were:
- a break front design on 2 elevations to add interest
- extra wide door openings
- central door (of 3) even wider to break up the lines
- brick fan details above doors (to match house)
- deep soffits with moulded panels (again to match house)
- double skin insulated cavity wall construction. Boarded loft space for extra storage (insulated).
- lots of power, light etc.
- had interior walls covered in hardwall to avoid industrial look

Basically it’s built more like a house than a garage!

[gangzoom]

gareth h said:

Make sure you have a healthy budget, I’ve had prices of £100 - £140 k to convert my single to a double with room above

The builder who worked on our house quoted £100k+ for a very basic garage build. His had/has clients who have spent easily double that on a garage!!

[bennno]

gareth h said:

Make sure you have a healthy budget, I’ve had prices of £100 - £140 k to convert my single to a double with room above

We converted from a double to a quad garage using trusses to permit subsequent loft conversion for about £35k.

Great builders from Carmarthen way, they were inexpensive.

[DonkeyApple]

CrawfW said:

Dear Hive Mind,

I am looking to build a four-car garage with annexe above it in the near future.

I have been reading on here, and elsewhere, to identify key design considerations: I want something which is “connoisseur quality”, not just a rectangle that you park in. As an example, I have been thinking of a raised section to allow a full-size car lift without having the whole first floor that much higher.

So-far, I have been unable to find an architect with any interest in these sorts of considerations. Indeed, in our part of Devon it is more common to find architects shocked at the suggestion I want to build that venerates the internal combustion engine rather that helping to fight the climate emergency. Uhhh.

So, two reasons for posting here.

1. Have you built (or bought) a garage that you are particularly proud of? If so, what are its special features?!

2. Most importantly, does anyone have contact details of the architect or similar who did the drawings….

On the architect point, it would obviously be great if it was someone based in the South West. Nonetheless, i think the Garage Specialist could be anywhere - we could integrate them with someone more local to ensure a stylistic match with the house (a 17C farmhouse).

Lots of oak designs available and kits, if the look fits what you're looking for. It would then be very easy to have one of the end bays full height with the accommodation over the other three. Would also bypass the need for an architect and where you are will have plenty of good builders able to assemble and tailor to suit.

Otherwise, just tell the architects that you need the four post lift for the EV battery replacement business you'll be launching so as to save the planet?

[LooneyTunes]

If you already know what you want, consider using an Architectural Technician to draw it all up.

We did that with self-build and it worked well.

Have had mixed experiences with “proper” architects: one we used a few years ago for a project similar to yours seemed intent on commissioning as many reports/surveys as possible. Including some wanting to commission things were clearly going to try to lock us in to specific solutions for things like HVAC.

[skeeterm5]

LooneyTunes said:

If you already know what you want, consider using an Architectural Technician to draw it all up.

This.

In my experience architects like to follow their own favourite vanity/pet projects if you really don’t keep control of them.

Great if you want a stunning creation ala grand designs, not so great for a garage with an upper floor where you know what you want.

[Biglips]

Try Tom Russell from Emmett Russell Architects in Bristol. He designed an underground double garage and workshop for us. Very high quality work. Sorted everything including planning. We haven’t built it yet but we have completed stage 1 which was an extensive refresh of our house that he also did for us. He understood the brief straightaway. Highly recommended

[treacle]

Looks like it could be v cool space. Try GAS can recommend Paul there. They are Oxford based and happy to do projects across the U.K. As you can see they are Architects that specialise in Garage spaces.

https://garagearchitecture.co.uk/