Dwell Design Awards View the Winners
Dwell Design Awards View the Winners

ADUs

Though you may know it better by another name—the granny flat, laneway house, in-law unit, or sidekick unit—the compact and practical accessory dwelling unit can provide homeowners with extra space for kids home from college or parents aging in place, additional income as a rental, or a simple guesthouse. As cities ease building restrictions to boost housing options, the ADU is seeing a huge uptick in popularity.

29 Granny Flats That Put Guests Up in Style
29 Granny Flats That Put Guests Up in Style
From detached studios to separate wings for in-laws, these granny flats give Grandma the royal treatment.
- a year ago
Mighty Buildings Makes Stylish, 3D-Printed Prefabs Starting at $115K
An Oakland startup combines prefab design and 3D printing to create cost-saving backyard homes.
An Austin Couple Build a 200-Square-Foot Office and Guesthouse in Their Backyard
The husband-and-wife team behind Cedar & Oak Homes dream up a chic, multipurpose ADU.
Budget Breakdown: A Cozy Studio Tops an L.A. Garage For $220K
Budget Breakdown: A Cozy Studio Tops an L.A. Garage For $220K
Spurred by a recent state law aimed at easing California’s housing shortage, a Los Angeles family turns to architect Martin Fenlon to add an ADU to their backyard.
- 2 years ago
An Architect Builds a Svelte Backyard Tiny Home for His Mom
Architect Peter Liang’s 265-square-foot ADU sits in his sister’s backyard in Oakland, California, balancing privacy and togetherness.
5 Utah Prefab Companies Ready to Build Your Next Home
From A-frames to ADUs, these prefab, modular, and kit homes are available for installation in Utah’s diverse landscape.
This Backyard Granny Flat Is Filled With Clever Storage and Natural Light
Webster Wilson designs a cedar-wrapped ADU in Portland, Oregon, for a grandmother and her visiting grandchildren.
This Bright and Airy Backyard Cottage in Los Angeles Feels Like a Cabin in the Woods
Originally an ADU for aging parents, this cottage in Solano Canyon is at once lofty and snug.
6 Prefab Companies Ready to Build Your New Backyard Office
These prefab ADUs are the perfect solution for those in need of a separate home office.
A Family in Poland Adds an Origami-Inspired Retreat to Their Backyard
The owners’ fascination with Zen rock gardens informed the design of this tiny ADU.
8 Modern In-Law Units
8 Modern In-Law Units
You may recognize an Accessory Dwelling Unit (or ADU) by one of its many other names, including in-law unit, granny flat, laneway house, or sidekick house.
- 4 years ago
Construction Diary: A Self-Taught Designer Makes a Career Switch After Building an Artful ADU
An advertising strategist in Portland, Oregon, builds a minimalist retreat in her own backyard—and launches her own design business in the process.
7 Smart ADU and Additions That Cost as Little as $18K
From a shingled studio in Minneapolis to a two-bedroom guesthouse in L.A., these backyard projects are something to emulate.
Budget Breakdown: A Trio of Friends Build a Backyard ADU in Los Angeles for $252K
The 1,000-square-foot dwelling mixes raw and refined materials in a cost-effective strategy.
Budget Breakdown: A Playful, Postmodern ADU in Los Angeles Is Built for $249K
Bunch Design imagines a colorful, dynamic backyard dwelling that looks and feels larger than its 850 square feet.
Why Now, More Than Ever, the ADU Is the Future of Home
Whether it serves as an investment, backyard office, or intergenerational housing, the accessory dwelling unit (ADU) has never made more sense.
7 ADUs You Can Buy Right Now for Less Than $100,000
Whether you need a guesthouse for Grandma or additional rental income, these ADUs starting at $26,000 provide extra space and flexibility.
These New Prefab ADUs Promise Affordable Housing for Years to Come
If you provide OBY Cooperative with a 99-year backyard lease, they’ll build an ADU—at no cost to you—that will pay out dividends over time.
A Couple Convert Their Parents’ Garage Into a Transforming ADU
Flexibility rules in an airy Southern California garage-turned-ADU that gives two professionals the chance to ride the wave of the future.
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