When a dynamic couple, both in in creative fields, approached Toni Lewis and Marc Schoeplein of Lewis|Schoeplein Architects to add an ADU to their Southern California home, they looked to what was already in front of them to imagine what could be. After they’d briefly considered tearing down a small rear building that was originally a detached garage, they realized that a creative reconfiguration allowed them to maximize lot coverage while keeping the overall construction scope—and cost—in check.

In siting the ADU, adapting the existing structure—instead of removing it completely—provided an opportunity to reap the benefits of the garage’s nonconformance. In its current state, the garage extended to the property line, a condition that would be grandfathered in if preserved, but prohibited in any new construction. Repurposing the existing structure also allowed the project to remain more cost-effective and sustainable.

The homeowners, a sculptor/visual artist and a writer/art consultant, had the foresight to consider how the space might adapt to meet their future needs. The existing garage was turned into a dedicated art studio, the singular must-have of the project’s design brief. In the newly constructed volume, the living room of the ADU would double as an art gallery, connected to—or closed off from—the rest of the residential wing via a pocket door. Separate entrances to the gallery and living/sleeping zones would allow private access for a future renter or caregiver, or the couple’s adult children when they visited. “The list of program functions morphed as we thought about them evolving over time,” says architect Toni Lewis. “Flexibility is the key to longevity.”

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The ADU’s interior is unfussy and beautifully simple, inspired by the unadorned honesty and warmth of Norwegian cabins. Natural materials and clean lines dominate, with economical plywood and exposed structural elements contributing to the intentionally straightforward design—and, secondarily, allowing for cost savings. “We chose materials that work well in their natural state, and left the joists and the mechanical system exposed where it made sense,” shares Lewis. “We loved the idea that you would be able to see how the building was built, and what it was made out of.”

Although the ADU is modestly sized—the repurposed garage is 330 square feet, and the newly constructed volume is 770 square feet—the design’s thoughtful flexibility makes the most of the compact footprint. The newly constructed volume includes the kitchen, living room/gallery, and second-floor bedroom with bath. “By having the option to divide the gallery space from the kitchen/living space, we actually were able to create perhaps more program than was originally anticipated,” says Lewis. The result is an open and airy double-height living volume with a spacious lofted bedroom.

Multifunctional spaces allow for a more compelling overall design while giving the homeowners flexibility in their creative endeavors. The living room/gallery doubles as a “clean room” to lay out or assemble larger art pieces, reserving the adjacent studio for messier processes, while the kitchen table easily doubles as an overflow work station.

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The indoor/outdoor flow makes the compact ADU feel larger while taking advantage of the Southern California climate. The adjacent pool parallels the ADU, bringing a resort-like calm to the new dwelling, while an existing outdoor garden and covered dining area are seamlessly connected to the new construction. “The fact that each room opens widely onto our pool and garden makes this small space feel much bigger,” the homeowners share.

Whether taking an evening steam in the steam shower or doing yoga overlooking the pool below, the homeowners delight in moments of respite their new ADU has encouraged. “When we don’t have guests staying here, we think of the ADU as our own getaway,” they say. “We joke that someday if our kids move back to L.A. and have their own families, we’d let them take the front house and we’d move out to the ADU—that’s how much we love it!”

A Bright Red ADU Anchors a Lot on L.A.’s Westside

Project Credits:

Architect of Record: Lewis|Schoeplein Architects / @lewisschoeplein

Builder/General Contractor: Furer Construction

Structural Engineer: MMSE, INC

Photography: Ivan Feign & Kat Phillips

Featured Studio and Artwork: Joshua Abarbanel / @joshuabarbanelstudio