Garden Garage by Studio North – A Sustainable Green Roof Garage in Calgary

Located in the vibrant neighborhood of Upper Mount Royal, Calgary, Canada, the Garden Garage by Studio North redefines the relationship between architecture, landscape, and sustainability. Designed in 2020, this 700 ft² architectural extension merges the functionality of a garage with the natural beauty of a backyard, creating a hybrid space that balances green design, modern living, and environmental sustainability.

A New Approach to Garage and Garden Design

The project began with a challenge: how to maximize an underutilized corner of the property that received excellent sunlight and had convenient site access. The client wanted a building that would enhance both the backyard and the driveway without compromising either. Studio North’s solution was to merge the garage with the garden into a seamless design, creating what they call the Garden Garage.

The structure functions as both a garage for a collector’s car and a green roof extension of the backyard, blending natural and built environments into one cohesive design.

The Green Roof: Sustainability Meets Aesthetics

One of the most striking features of the Garden Garage is its lush green roof. Designed as an elevated continuation of the backyard, the roof integrates terraced planting and native vegetation that attract bees, birds, and pollinators. Its south-facing orientation ensures optimal sunlight for growth, while a carefully engineered drainage system uses custom perforated scuppers and cascading water channels to nourish plants at multiple levels.

Corten steel planters create seating areas, stair access, and a sculptural layering of natural greenery, transforming the roof into a miniature ecosystem that enhances biodiversity while offering beautiful elevated views of the tree canopy and sky.

The Garage Interior: Functional, Durable, and Minimal

Below the garden sits a garage designed for durability and functionality. Built for a car enthusiast, the interior features an industrial yet warm material palette:

• Steel base walls provide resilience against heavy-duty work.
• Fir plywood upper walls bring natural warmth, reflect light, and balance the space.
• Large openings allow ample daylight, making the garage not just a storage unit but a habitable workspace.

On the exterior, the garage features shou sugi ban charred wood siding in a sleek black finish. This monolithic façade is contrasted with a custom laser-cut steel entry gate, its organic perforation pattern inspired by surrounding vegetation, offering both privacy and artistry.

A Harmonious Balance of Nature and Industry

The Garden Garage is more than a storage solution—it is a fusion of architecture, ecology, and lifestyle. The sharp-edged industrial palette of corten steel, charred wood, and fir plywood reflects the client’s passion for mechanics and cars. In contrast, the green roof garden above symbolizes tranquility, softness, and natural escape from the urban setting.

This juxtaposition of robustness and delicacy creates a space that is both personal and sustainable, making the Garden Garage a model for urban green architecture.

All the photographs are works of Hayden Pattullo, Damon Hayes Couture