When Marta Nowicka bought an old garage on a tiny plot of land in Dalston, London, people didn’t see potential, they saw a mistake.
The structure was small, unimpressive, and wedged among Victorian-era homes in a neighborhood known for vintage fashion shops, cocktail bars, and underground clubs. To many, it looked like an odd investment at best. To Nowicka, an interior architect with a reputation for bold ideas, it looked like possibility.
What followed was a dramatic transformation that turned skepticism into admiration.
A Leap of Faith on 45 Square Meters
In 2018, Nowicka purchased the garage online, without even viewing it in person. The space measured just 45 square meters, a size most people would dismiss as unlivable.
But working with unconventional spaces was already her specialty. Her goal wasn’t to stretch the footprint outward, but upward, and smarter. She personally designed the architectural plans, focusing on how to extract maximum function, light, and comfort from minimal space.
Her vision was clear from the start: create a modern, luxurious home that still respected its surroundings.
“The Gouse”: A Garage Turned Home
Nowicka named the project The Gouse, a blend of the words “garage” and “house.” While the interior would be completely reimagined, she deliberately preserved the garage’s original exterior character.
The outer shell was clad in cedar shingles, allowing the building to blend seamlessly with the surrounding Victorian architecture. From the street, it doesn’t scream “new build.” In fact, most passersby wouldn’t realize it’s a full home at all.
Even the entrance plays into the illusion. The original wooden garage door was removed and replaced with a discreet brick façade. Hidden within it is a secret door, nearly invisible unless you know exactly where to look.
Building Up Instead of Out
With limited land, the only option was vertical. Instead of extending the structure horizontally, Nowicka transformed the garage into a three-story home.
To maintain the visual proportions of a two-story building, she dug down into the ground floor, creating a semi-basement level. This clever move allowed for additional living space while preserving the building’s relationship with the street.
A carefully placed window above ground level ensures that natural light still reaches the lower floor, preventing it from feeling closed-in or dark.
Light, Glass, and Flow
Inside, The Gouse feels anything but small.
One of its standout features is the use of see-through glass floor sections, which allow light to travel freely between levels. These transparent panels act as visual portals, connecting each floor and enhancing the sense of openness.
Natural light plays a central role throughout the home. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook a courtyard garden, bringing the outdoors in and making the space feel far larger than its footprint suggests.
Nature at the Center of the Home
Nowicka also incorporated a “living wall,” introducing greenery directly into the interior design. The feature softens the modern aesthetic and creates a strong indoor-outdoor connection, ideal for those who crave nature while living in an urban setting.
The result is a home that feels calm, breathable, and intentionally designed for modern living rather than simply squeezed into a tight space.
A Bathroom With a View of the Sky
The attention to detail doesn’t stop at the main living areas. One of the most striking elements of The Gouse is the third-floor bathroom, which features a glass ceiling.
By day, it fills the room with natural light. By night, it offers a clear view of the stars, an unexpected luxury tucked inside what was once a forgotten garage.
It’s a perfect example of Nowicka’s philosophy: small spaces don’t require small ideas.
From Garage to 126 Square Meters of Living Space
The full renovation took just a few months, but the transformation was dramatic. What began as a single-use garage was converted into 126 square meters of fully functional living space across three levels.
Every design choice, hidden doors, vertical expansion, glass elements, and natural light, was intentional. Nothing was wasted. Nothing was accidental.
Why This Story Resonates
Marta Nowicka’s project challenges a common assumption: that comfort, beauty, and functionality require size.
The Gouse proves that creativity can outwork limitations, and that vision often looks impractical, until it works. What people once laughed at is now a stunning example of modern urban living.
Sometimes, the boldest homes don’t start with big plots or big budgets, but with someone willing to see potential where others don’t.
Featured image from: YouTube Screenshot – Life Stories