As real-estate prices in New York City continue to soar, Brooklyn residents are using their extra space and relaxed planning restrictions to extend their townhouses and build "quirky" garden studios, according to local architects (+ slideshow).
Increasing numbers of New Yorkers are moving from Manhattan to Brooklyn for more space for their money. Townhouses in the borough typically come with back yards, presenting an opportunity for homeowners to add value and square footage to their properties.
Just like in London, this has led to a boom in the market for residential extensions. But what is unique to Brooklyn ? where creative employment has almost doubled over four years ? is a new trend for building tiny shed-like shelters at the ends of plots as home workplaces or studios. Brooklyn architect Nick Hunt built this studio for himself in his back yard. Photograph by Brian Ferry
"This trend follows the fact that more and more people are self-employed or in tech," said Brooklyn-based studio Architensions, which recently added a cedar-clad writers' studio to a townhouse garden in Greenpoint. "This doesn't necessarily require having a formal office or going to a co-share space."
"It's actually a dream being in New York and working from your own backyard," they added.
The trend for tiny shed-like studios follows the growth of creative employment in Brooklyn. Photograph by Brian Ferry
Local architect Nick Hunt, who has built one of these...