Homes: Space invaders - in pictures

Brian Waters, a roofer, and his wife, Mary, had lived in a tall Victorian semi on the border of north London boroughs, Hackney and Islington, since 1982. They also owned the plot next door, formerly a cobbled storage yard and garage. But five years ago they decided to sell the house and convert the garage into a narrow, light-filled, ecologically-sound home. The front door, frame and recycling bin-­storage are from iroko wood. Photograph: Jefferson Smith

The existing street-facing, two-storey building houses a hallway and staircase, pictured here, and spare bedroom – see following photograph. Photograph: Jefferson Smith

The spare room. Photograph: Jefferson Smith

The master bedroom, which accesses a small courtyard. Photograph: Jefferson Smith

A second bedroom, with another small courtyard attached. Photograph: Jefferson Smith

The courtyard, a little oasis, viewed from inside the second bedroom. Photograph: Jefferson Smith

The 13ft-high bathroom has a glass roof, so when they’re in the bath, Brian and Mary can look up to a square of sky. “On a sunny day, you feel like you’re in the Mediterranean.” The windows have iroko wood frames and opaque glass for privacy. The floor is reclaimed Westmoreland slate. Photograph: Jefferson Smith

Adjoining the ­living space and kitchen, via floor-to-ceiling sliding doors, is a courtyard garden, perfect for alfresco summer suppers. Photograph: Jefferson Smith

The windows let light into the room, and provide ventilation in hotter months. Set into the garden floor are drains that harvest rainwater. Photograph: Jefferson Smith

Concertina sliding doors in the living space. Photograph: Jefferson Smith

View of the living space from the hallway. Light floods in via a strip of skylights running from one end to the other. The furniture is a mix of family heirlooms and pieces from local second-hand shops; a pair of white, space-age 60s speakers are from Islington shop, Mr Allsorts. Photograph: Jefferson Smith

The kitchen, part of the open-plan living space. Photograph: Jefferson Smith

View from the courtyard garden. Photograph: Jefferson Smith