Staircase to above garage space - Need ideas!

2 years ago

I continue to scratch my head with an economical staircase to the above garage space. I have a long upstairs hallway planned but I would like an additional staircase on the garage side of the house for easier access. The garage is oversized and I want the above space to be part unfinished attic space and part finished game room, play room etc.

I've entertained a L-Shape, Spiral, Straight staircases and I just don't like any of them in the space where I have it. The current layout in the drawing pictured I also don't like. Ideally the staircase would be better if attached to the inside downstairs area but I just can't figure it out. I need some creative ideas!

Featured Answer

chispa

2 years ago

Don't know a single place where living space above a garage is not allowed, as long as necessary modifications are made to make it a habitable space, for example adding dormers to have enough headroom.

I would want the access from the inside of the house, as I think having it in the garage makes it look like a badly done addition. For me, having access from the garage is also a less secure location, giving easy access to your upstairs if someone forgets to close the garage.

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Comments (11)

PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
2 years ago
What are the qualifications of the person that designed this house?
Matthew Koshinski
Original Author
2 years ago
Cant say except it's a pro - as far as I know. And recommended by a well known builder in the Houston area. He's been great overall but he doesn't seem to be able to make happy in this specific situation so thats why I'm seeking outside ideas.
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Matthew Koshinski
Original Author
2 years ago
Side note: I'm unable to widen the house due to building limits.
latifolia
2 years ago
I think what Mark is suggesting is, find out if this designer is a licensed architect. You're investing too much money in your new hime to not get truly professional advice. Apologies, Mark, if I'm getting that wrong.
dan1888
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Kitchen needs a prep sink and single bowl. Hope all the lowers are wide drawer units.
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
2 years ago
Sorry but are you actually allowed to even do this by code . In many places living space above garages are not allowed unless the garage was built at the beginning to have that space. Is there a way to have a bridge from the house to this space . Maybe post a pic of the exterior plan . Do you have a breezeway ? I honestly cannot read the interior plan well enough to comment on it .This should have been part of the plan from the beginning and it sounds like now it is something you want but might not be possible
res2architect
2 years ago
Review the fire separation requirements with the local building department.
la_la Girl
2 years ago
NYT had a fun article on a couple who had 3 tiny homes - one had a foldaway staircase, super clever
res2architect
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
In the US, the egress path from the upper level to the outside is usually not allowed to pass through a garage so you might need to convince the building department that no one would use the new stair in case of a fire or you could add a vestibule in the garage leading to the outside.

The garage ceiling and shared and/or structural walls would need to be protected by type X or equivalent rated gypsum board on the garage side.
3onthetree
2 years ago
The assumption should be your architect/designer can make it work to your liking (spoiler: even if not a licensed architect) if they have designed this entire house. A good chance of why it is not meeting your approval is that it would require a very large undertaking to reconceive a good portion of that side of the house, 1st, 2nd, elevations, and maybe that is unclear, undesirable, unpaid, or unexpected on your part.

When reworking something, either coincidentally or purposefully, you may even be able to improve some other things related to what you are reworking.