ADU

Most of the furnishings are secondhand or otherwise creatively sourced. The desk in Léontine’s bedroom was picked up at a technical school in Caen, where it was a cabinetmaking student’s final project. The used dining table was bought online, and half of the chairs came from a Parisian bar that was being renovated, the other half from a charity flea market. The 1930s armchair in the living area, colorfully reupholstered, belonged to Isabelle’s grandparents.

The guest room also doubles as the office, thanks to clever use of storage and space.

The cabin was the first structure he built and exhibits some of the features seen elsewhere, like the tin roof, clerestory windows, and use of pressure-treated lumber.

Discrete storage is designed into the bottom of the booth, while the seat is upholstered in vegan leather made from pineapple skin as both the owners are strict vegetarians.

The simple living room features a wood-burning stove to keep the space cozy in colder months. The interior material palette was kept simple and practical. The ceilings and trims are pine, while doors are crafted from hemlock timber.

Floor-to-ceiling glazing and a linear skylight help welcome the landscape within the cabin’s small footprint.

The daybed and storage beneath it are replaced with an expanded kitchen. While the table is much smaller, the added space was meant to allow more room for personal furniture.

More storage is concealed beneath the daybed. From the flooring to the kitchen counters, the woodwork throughout the unit is made from oak.

In addition to commissioning custom cabinetry for the kitchenette, Minarc designed its sink (dubbed RUBBISH) to have a basin made from recycled rubber.

Built in Sunset Park, L.A., the original model was made by ERLA Construction (a company started by one of Minarc's cofounders) from a structural insulated panel (SIP) developed in house.

Photo by Art Gray