7 Best Design Ideas to Develop Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)

You might be considering developing the extra livable space in your lot. It could have different reasons like more space requirements, creating rental income, or increasing the salable value of your house.

That is where the concept of ADUs arrives.

An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is a secondary dwelling unit that is typically located on the same lot as a single-family home.

Whatever your requirement is, there are some key design points that you should consider.

We have listed out some points based on our experience, that needs to be considered before the design closure of your ADU:

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ADU AREA & SPACE REQUIREMENTS-

Generally, counties allow a maximum of 1200 sq. ft. area for ADU. In California ADU with areas less than 500 sq. ft. are called as JADUs or Junior ADUs

These are the areas as per code, but what can be done in this area is quite many different development options.

In 1200 sq. ft. You can create a 3 bedroom ADU which is enough for a family while in the same area, you can create a big size one bedroom unit.

For like, we created a 3 bedroom 2 story ADU for a client in LA, and also a 1-bedroom unit with workspace in Texas. Both of them were near 1200 sq. ft.

Both of them served a different purpose. One served as a fully functional house for a family, other worked as an extension for a workspace near landscapes.

So both of them has cost implication too. A 2-floor development will require a staircase and it will add to the cost of construction.

So the decision as per the requirement needs to be done accordingly.

SPACE OPTIMIZATION –

As there is an upper limit to the area, so the internal space optimization shall be done while the planning stage.

Here consider the design strategies similar to Tiny apartment can work. Some of them are below:

Minimum Circulation space – Minimize the hallways space or corridor spaces. Try to use them in the bedroom.

Like in the below plan for an ADU we developed. The hallway space is almost minimized.

Multi-functional Spaces:

A space like the living room can work as a sleeping space at night. Look for furniture pieces that can serve more than one purpose, such as a sofa bed or a coffee table with storage compartments.

Use vertical space:

When floor space is limited, utilize your walls by installing shelves, hanging organizers, or wall-mounted desks.

Choose light colors:

Lighter colors can make a space feel bigger and more open. Use a neutral color palette for walls, flooring, and furniture.

PRIVACY OR OPENNESS –

This is an important point that is required to be considered right at the concept stage. This comes with the understanding, that how the ADU is going to be utilized.

If it is being used by the same family members or relatives, then openness with large windows in ADU works.

If it is for rental purposes then privacy is also needed to be considered.

In one of the above-discussed projects, the adjacent space was serving as parking and the ADU was being utilized for rental purposes. So we provided clerestory windows for light and privacy. It has large sliding doors and windows but towards the street side.

While in another project, the ADU was serving as a workspace and so large windows and sliding doors were proposed.

So this decision needs to be taken at the initial stages of the project.

MERGING WITH CONTEXT:

ADUs are the extensions of the primary unit. So ideally architectural style shall be continued as per the context.

In one of our previous projects, while we were creating an ADU in Liberty Hill, Texas.

We proposed the idea of a continuation of the Tuscan style of Architecture. We incorporated different elements of Tuscany architecture to match the context. We incorporated the entrance tower, window styles, materials, eave details, and more for the continuation of the Architecture style.

LANDSCAPING–

The open space between the primary unit and ADU can act as courtyard space and with good landscaping, the space can be well used. This will increase both the design and commercial value of both primary and ADU.

IMPERVIOUS AREAS–

Although the extension is allowed but the allowable Impervious areas needs to be in checked.

ELECTRICAL LINE CROSSOVER –

This needs to be considered if there is any electrical main line is crossing over the proposed ADU location.

If it is a pole to pole connection, then it will be tough to construct ADU below the line. But if it is a a supply line from pole to existing primary unit, then you can tap off near the ADU and install a underground electric supply to primary unit.