We undertake many smaller projects like this, designed to make better use of a compact inner-city site on the street face by adding a garage and swimming pool.

Previously the sundrenched site was under-utilised and not well connected to the house. To overcome these challenges and to make it private, we converted the area into a courtyard oasis with a pool enclosed in an in-situ concrete wall that runs along the boundary and connects to the garage. The curved side of the concrete wall pulls you around the corner of the street-face into the garage. A series of stepping stones lead up to a hot tub at the other end of this tropical haven. In this highly considered little project, the garden now sits perfectly alongside the house providing a lovely outdoor living. And a cool, updated garage works as a flexi-space offering useful extra living and storage.

Photography credit: Simon Wilson