View From The Top – DNM Custom ADU, Sausalito, CA. Image: James Leasure
An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is a self-contained living space that is located on the same property as a primary residence. They can be detached buildings, additions or conversions of existing space inside your home. With an estimated shortage of more than 1 million homes in California and almost 4 million across the US, ADUs are just one tool to help combat the country’s chronic lack of affordable housing. It may seem trivial to add one unit in a backyard or convert a basement to an apartment, but, in contrast to large apartment buildings or expanded suburbs, ADUs are a “surgical” path to new housing using existing land, sewers, water and other infrastructure. They may be the greenest and most sustainable housing strategy available.
Two approaches: Pre-fab vs “stick build”
Prefabricated Paneled ADU. Video courtesy Wellmade
Constructed in a backyard in Berkeley CA, this 377sf, one-bedroom, detached ADU is a collaboration between DNM Architecture and Wellmade using pre-fabricated panels to save time and money. (See more about our Wellmade partnership here.) Ideal for an approximately level site, the Wellmade designs feature compact, efficient space utilization sheathed in corrugated metal and cedar siding.
Interior – Prefabricated Paneled ADU. Image courtesy Wellmade
“I absolutely love hearing our clients say we’ve changed their lives with our studios and ADUs, ” says Wellmade CEO, Kirill Ostorovsky. “This tells me we are doing something special here, and it gives us the energy and motivation to continue to innovate and improve.”
DNM Custom ADU Image: James Leasure
A steep slope in a side yard in Sausalito presented challenges for this 1000sf, two-bedroom, custom ADU with an expansive roof deck offering panoramic views of the Richardson Bay. The unique site conditions and client desire for a larger unit and roof deck resulted in using conventional framing methods rather than pre-fabrication. Organized in two blocks with a minimum amount of circulation area, the living room features 11’ ceiling and a massive picture window to frame the Bay view. The kitchen by FORM Kitchens and dining areas are a half level above the living room reflecting the site topography and offering views across the lower living room. Two bedrooms and two baths efficiently form the second block.
The ADU is sheathed in James Hardie Artisan fiber cement vertical siding with rich cedar siding under the roof soffits. The roof deck features a custom metal rail and composite decking
DNM Custom ADU Image: James Leasure
ADUs are a special focus for DNM Architecture. Wellmade has a focused vision for delivering compact and well-crafted panelized ADUs that are efficient and affordable to the widest potential market. And, when the ADU is a converted space, attached addition, or circumstances call for it, we love creating bespoke solutions for our clients.