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Houzz Tour: From Garage to Play Pavilion in Seattle
An active Washington state family encourages creative and athletic play by transforming a garage into a multipurpose gym-style pavilion
Tucked in the back of a Craftsman home in Seattle is a two-story freestanding garage that reimagines the family room. Instead of a space centered around a television, the garage became a multipurpose pavilion that challenges the family to engage in creative play and activities. "My clients now have a large multipurpose room on the second level, a bike and car storage space on the first level, and a unit that's designed to be flexible and stimulating for the kids — one that can grow and change with them well into their teen years," says architect Margaret Menter.
Space at a Glance
Who uses it: A couple and their three young kids
Location: Seattle
Size: 413 square feet
Design challenge: Getting zoning approval for a project that the planning department didn't know how to categorize.
Space at a Glance
Who uses it: A couple and their three young kids
Location: Seattle
Size: 413 square feet
Design challenge: Getting zoning approval for a project that the planning department didn't know how to categorize.
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| The clients wanted their kids to be able to use their imagination in the space. Now they can read books in the hammocks, hang from the monkey bars, climb the ropes or run around freely. The room can easily be converted from a gym to a party room, hosting a small dinner party or a family movie night. A small bathroom and a utility sink are on the premises, making cleanup after craft parties and small gatherings easier. Monkey bars: aluminum pipe system; speed rail: Hollaender; walls: painted plywood; hanging swings and equipment: steel trusses; sliding barn-door hardware: Better Barns; utility sink: custom; swings and rings: Ikea |
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This project pushed Menter to visualize a space through the eyes of active children; it also allowed her to use more modern, streamlined and functional design elements while still being conscious of a largely traditional home built in 1904.
Menter's clients, who use the first level of the garage-pavilion as an electric car docking station, wanted to use as many green design solutions as possible for this space.
Menter kept 75 percent of the garage's existing walls to reduce waste; used lasting materials like plywood (for the walls) and stainless steel (for the fixtures and baseboards) to reduce the need for repairs; and installed industrial light fixtures, high-performance windows and skylights to reduce energy loss.
The play pavilion uses the original roof frame of the old garage; Menter just added a steel truss across the center of the space to support the climbing ropes and swings.
Floors: reclaimed chestnut wide planks, Pioneer Millworks
Menter's clients, who use the first level of the garage-pavilion as an electric car docking station, wanted to use as many green design solutions as possible for this space.
Menter kept 75 percent of the garage's existing walls to reduce waste; used lasting materials like plywood (for the walls) and stainless steel (for the fixtures and baseboards) to reduce the need for repairs; and installed industrial light fixtures, high-performance windows and skylights to reduce energy loss.
The play pavilion uses the original roof frame of the old garage; Menter just added a steel truss across the center of the space to support the climbing ropes and swings.
Floors: reclaimed chestnut wide planks, Pioneer Millworks
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| The pavilion is seamlessly connected to the outdoors and is within plain view of the larger house. Its proximity to the patio ensures that entertaining can easily expand to the outside. |
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| The biggest challenge for Menter was getting zoning approval. "We couldn't change the garage into a play space without adding car parking elsewhere on the property, so we ultimately ended up with a car garage tucked underneath a multipurpose space," says Menter. Folding doors: Bi-folding Aluminum Door System, Fleetwood |
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| What used to be a storage area filled with boxes and random things is now a space that reflects the current lifestyle of this family. "[My clients] can always convert the pavilion into an office, music room or an in-law apartment in the future, but for now, it meets the needs of their fun and active family." The best part of the renovation was when Menter's clients e-mailed her a picture of the kids in the pavilion with a sign that read, "Best room ever!" |
Comments
krissyb92603 We also live in the Seattle area and would LOVE a detached room like this for our three boys to run around and blow off steam when it's chilly, rainy and gloomy outside. All I can say is "Perfect!" and I'm adding many of these pictures to my ideabooks. Thank you for sharing!!
12 months ago · Like
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SPACIFY INC, This is really great information..and Nice Post. It’s really a very good article
12 months ago · Like
Teresa Dowdy_Mckee it would be great this there was a Pinterest button on your site, love the stuff I see here and would like to share it on my pinterest board!
12 months ago · Like
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woolylam I just use the pin button on my browser for Pinterest
12 months ago · Like
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Becky Harris I've noticed some of these pictures and been wondering what the story was - what a great space!
12 months ago · Like
artzy38 ITS Seattle....you have to have a place out of the rain for the kids! Lived her all my life, this would have been fabulous for my three sons! GREAT job...and the outdoor room is a seamless part of the whole experience! LOVE IT!
12 months ago · Like
zombieknit Amazing! So original and what a great way to combat the obesity epidemic. Love the look of the house too.
12 months ago · Like
Teresa Dowdy_Mckee woolylamI I can't seem to get the Pinterest button on my browser, is it because I have a google search bar you think???
12 months ago · Like
helendegroot That would make such a great OT room for kids with Autism, ADHD etc.
12 months ago · Like
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Charlene Shaw Amongst many delights of this room I LOVE the idea of painting the toilet door in blackboard paint.
12 months ago · Like
jaylara Props to Menter and co for executing the vision and for this incredible family for having the vision in the first place (and for practicing what they preach: reimagined family room, electric car, biking to work... awesome, awesome)
12 months ago · Like
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jjeason20 This is amazing! How did it end up getting categorized for zoning? Would love to do this on our Austin home!
11 months ago · Like
kanjee Cool workout room
5 months ago · Like
Ideabook published on June 5, 2012.
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