A killarney builder/mad scientist type is launching a sea can garage house in the yard of typical 50 ft r2 lot on 32nd ST. This is an interesting and bold choice to tackle this, and I appreciate it. I have been less than enthusiastic about these garage suites because the cost of building such a small structure is so punitive. I am pretty sure I have built an entire 1900 sq ft semi detached home with a full basement and a garage for not much more construction expenditure than some garage houses that have been built in the area.
The value proposition of these things is lacking (depending on what it eventually costs). Of course I have to buy the land too, usually these are built by owners who may have bought a house years ago for a very low price and just want to add or improve it, so their land cost is nil. Unfortunately if you do build a garage suite you may be left with a really rough old bungalow in the front yard, and you have to cobble together a workable sewer gas and water system. I assume because I know how to do this stuff and what it will take to get it done properly I am more hesitant to try it than someone that has little inner city redevelopment experience, but is enamoured with the notion of having a unique carriage house in the back yard. It is good to see people launch passion projects like this and overcome the business case argument that seems to control my every move these days.
three of the cans are welded together and windows and doors cut out
it appears that the cans will be hoisted onto this garage slab that is built using an insulated concrete form frost wall. I'd like to build something like this but I am way too tied up with the rowhouse project, a mad science experiment in its own way...