Best Practice Architecture Convert a Garage into a Granny Pad in Seattle

Titled Granny Pad, this small home can be found in the backyard of a Seattle residence. The building originally served as a garage but was converted to provide the homeowner’s grandmother a safe home, near to the family.

The owners contacted a local firm called Best Practice Architecture to oversee the design and development of the building. It was completed in 2018.

Granny Pad amounts to 571-square-feet (53.05-square-meters) and, as you would expect, is spread out over a single level (bar a small storage loft at one end of the building).

Across the country, many families are struggling with the same difficult question: How can you best support aging family members when you live in a city with minimal housing options? – Best Practice Architecture

This project grew out of the clients need to find a nearby place for their grandmother to living. With no feasible options in the neighborhood, they started looking closer to home, and, with a little imagination, settled on their garage.

Best Practice Architecture approached the design of the garage from both short-term and long-term perspectives. They needed to address the immediate needs of providing a space for someone to live, and for it to be accessible. In the longer term, the space could be used as a rental, office or studio.

The living space itself is composed of a single flowing plan, going from the kitchen, dining and living room, through to the bedroom and bathroom. A vaulted cathedral ceiling, with cleverly placed windows, creates a bright airy home without compromising the occupants privacy.

All in all, the project is a fine example of multi-generational living.

Photos © Ed Sozinho

Niall Burke

Structural engineer by day, tiny house designer by night. Niall has a keen interest in small spaces, green design, and sustainability. He started developing Humble Homes while studying for his masters degree in engineering. He is the founder and managing editor of Humble Homes.