ADU design

As the state, and the country as a whole, are figuring out means of mitigating the housing crisis, one project type is beginning to help satiate that need. Accessory Dwelling Units like the Crystal ADU not only add a dwelling unit to a previously developed residential site, but this one does so in a mere 160 square feet. One of the primary design goals was providing the minimal amount of space needed for a person to operate. Joe Seelhammer Joe Seelhammer Reminiscent of a crystal's clean lines and beautiful edges, its fractal roof form and high-placed windows allow for ample natural light while still offering privacy from the adjacent residence. Built-in furniture and storage, along with a murphy bed, allow these components to fol... More

The One-Gable Studio is a creative workspace & guest house located on a corner lot in the historic Windsor Square neighborhood of Los Angeles. For this family of six, the structure is in many ways an extension of the house but also offers a space of separation for quiet work, guests and leisure. Michael Wells Michael Wells The siting for the building and the pool emerged in response to the trees on the property. A cluster of Redwoods (north) and a mature Bradford Pear (west) bracket the back corner of the yard, leaving an area for the new structure. These natural canopies provide shade for the outdoor areas of the pool deck and lawn. Michael Wells Michael Wells The single-gabled roof profile is the structure’... More

The Norwood Park Laneway Homes are a set of three laneway houses built as a collaboration between neighbours. The homes are designed to present as a cohesive whole with details that create variation across the three homes.  Ron Adriano Ron Adriano Ron Adriano Home A is approximately 1000sqft while Home B and Home C are each approximately 1,500sqft. The homes feature 2-3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths. Uniquely situated on a laneway that abuts a public park, each design focuses on maximizing parkside views. The ground floors host bedrooms and bathrooms which are nested around a central corridor with ample storage space. Ron Adriano Ron Adriano To enhance privacy while maintaining daylight, bedrooms facing the laneway... More

The Symington Laneway House is a 2-storey infill residence built on a narrow 17' wide lot in Toronto's Junction neighbourhood. At 1,000 sq. ft, the project is now home to the owner who formerly lived in the two-unit house at the front of the property. Ron Adriano Ron Adriano Ron Adriano Due to the home's proximity to both the public laneway and the main house, an unconventional arrangement of spaces was needed to mitigate privacy concerns. The bright yellow entry door opens up to a den off the laneway, while the kitchen and dining spaces are oriented towards the yard and accessed by sliding doors. Upstairs, the living room overlooks the laneway with a more private view towards West Toronto. The bedroom and bathroom are locat... More

This origami-like alley flat is a surprisingly light home; a unique and amazingly practical place.  Strategically placed windows, dramatic roof angles, and a living room that transforms into an open-air pavilion all contribute to the clever use of every inch of space.  The full build-out of the site provides much-needed maximal density on the lot while remaining respectful of the surrounding neighborhood’s character and responding to the scale, material palette and color palette of the existing house.  Nestled among trees at the back of a lot in Austin’s North Loop neighborhood, the sophisticated choreography of the spaces makes this home feel much bigger than its 850 square feet. More