It couldn’t just be an ordinary parking spot.
It had to be a space worthy of being the place this car would come home to.
But reality, of course, wasn’t that simple.
There’s already a regular car parked on the property.
If I were to build a garage shed there,
naturally, the regular car would lose its place.
Renting a parking space nearby would mean monthly fees.
I wouldn’t be able to wash the car at home.
Our daily routines would change.
Something in our life would have to be sacrificed for the Seven.
And yet, I still wanted to welcome the Seven—no matter what.
I wanted a solution that was cheaper, more natural,
and ideally something I could make work within this property.
So I seriously considered several alternatives.
■ Alternative Plan 1: Convert the planting area into a parking space
This was the most realistic option.
If I removed the planting area, I could fit both the regular car and the Seven.
Minimal construction, lower cost.
But the space simply wasn’t enough.
If it were an old Mini Cooper—about 3.0m × 1.45m—it might fit.
But there was no room for a roof,
nor for a shutter or door.
■ Alternative Plan 2: Turn part of the living room into a garage
(extreme, but seriously considered)
This was a bold idea.
Renovate part of the living room and park the Seven inside the house.
It would be completely protected from the weather,
and the idea of living while gazing at the Seven was undeniably appealing.
It’s the classic layout you see in the magazine Garage Life,
a magazine I’ve admired for years.
I even drew up floor plans.
Checked the dimensions.
It wasn’t impossible.
The builder was momentarily enthusiastic too—
it would be easier than constructing a separate structure.
But it would sacrifice a large portion of our living space.
We’d have to break the foundation.
The living–dining area would need major renovation.
My family’s understanding would be essential.
And above all, it felt like the Seven would become too much the center of our life.
So I decided against it.
■ Final Plan: Build a garage shed (in the existing parking space)
In the end, I chose to build a garage shed for the Seven
right where the current parking space is.
The regular car will have to be parked elsewhere.
Washing the car will be a bit less convenient.
But I felt the trade‑off was worth it.
This shed will be built only for the Seven.
Even on a small lot, with enough ingenuity, it can be done.
With my background as an architect (not practicing now, but licensed)
and my hands‑on DIY skills,
I’m confident I can make it work.
And more than anything,
I want to welcome the Seven into a place I built with my own hands.
■ Next Episode: Design Constraints
In the next episode,
I’ll write about the “design constraints” involved in building this garage shed.
Even on a small lot,
it is possible to create a space for the Seven.
And the first step is understanding the constraints.
