Garage-to-Granny Flat Conversion – Dual Living
The client engaged our team at Smith & Sons Franklin in the early stages of their property search, seeking a home that could suit both their needs and those of their extended family with the help of a renovation. Once they secured a property in the Buckland area, we guided them through our DPC (Design, Plan and Construct) process to bring their vision to life.
Their goal was to comfortably accommodate two generations under one roof while still maintaining a sense of privacy and independence for each. The home originally featured a three-car garage, and during the planning stage we proposed converting this area and closing off one end of the house to create two distinct, self-contained living spaces. This end of the home already included a generous bedroom and bathroom, so the solution simply required relocating the internal door further along the hallway to effectively separate the space.
The existing double garage door was removed and reframed to accommodate a new window and front entry door for the newly created living area. While the original home is brick, the space where the garage door once stood was clad in timber weatherboard, providing a contrast and a distinctive point of difference from the existing brickwork. A large stacker door was added to the rear of the space, opening onto the backyard and maximising natural light and indoor-outdoor connection. An internal wall was then constructed to separate the remaining single garage bay, allowing the home to retain one internal garage space.
A new open-plan living and dining area, complete with a kitchenette, was created within the space. The stacker door opens onto the backyard, where a timber deck was constructed with a step down to the lawn. A pergola was also built off the side of the home, providing shelter over the majority of the new deck area.
The renovation fully delivers on the client’s original vision, creating a home that balances privacy, independence, and family living while meeting all their practical and lifestyle needs.