Efficient Building

The landscaping is an important part of the project—and is constantly evolving. Jussi-Pekka is currently building an outdoor shower surrounded by wildflowers, and has plans for a greenhouse to grow herbs and vegetables. He is also planning a series of paths winding through the forest.

Marie and Kurtis Saldivar designed a 1,200-square-foot guest suite using a modified takes on a traditional Quonset Hut in Sisters, Oregon.

“Everything is in the core,” Farley says. “It’s an efficient way to organize space and functions.

Malak layered green peel-and-stick tiles on top of the existing white tiling, then installed sliding hooks attached to a command strip for more hanging storage.

Floor Plan of Meadowbrook Midcentury by Cast Architecture

Floor plan of Starter Home by Lehrer Architects

White oak slats and cork cladding give texture to the facade of a house that architect Jack Becker designed for himself and his wife, landscape architect Maddie Hoagland-Hanson, in an alley in the Capitol Hill area of Washington, D.C. High awning windows let daylight in while preserving privacy.

Two projects in Berkeley, completed within 100 feet of each other behind home on intersecting streets, signify the growing popularity of ADUs.

“Economy was always at the forefront of all of our decision making due to the high cost of building in California,” explains Kille. But that did not stop her and the design team from selecting strong color choices, like green kitchen cabinets and a bold orange-red front door.

A skylight was added to bring in more light, and the existing ceilings painted Benjamin Moore ‘Black Tar’ for contrast. The island pendant is the Schoolhouse Ray 17” Pendant and the stools are the Artek Aalto High Chair K65.

The custom banquette has a slatted back so as to allow the window behind it to open and let in light. The table is a vintage piece from John and Kelly, made with reclaimed wood from a bowling alley. The overhead pendant is by Brendan Ravenhill.

The Orchard Street Residence was renovated from a humble 1946 cottage in a neighborhood of mostly pre-World War II houses.

A reading nook in front of the "cabin" workspace at the top of the stairs.

Whether it’s cross-country skiing in the winter or trail running in the summer, the 330-foot home’s minimalist design encourages Catherine to be outside in the surrounding landscape throughout the year.

Brian and Melissa's two young children spend hours playing in the yard. With Melissa's mother in a house on the same property, the kids have easy access to Grandma whenever she's in town. "It's such a unique experience having multiple generations together," Brian says. "If the kids get up early, they can just run over to Melissa's mom's and spend time with her."

Los Angeles company Cover builds customizable prefab ADUs.

Danny envisioned the space between the ADU and the house as an informal place to gather. "It creates a sort of courtyard sensibility, which works for our intergenerational family dynamics."

The ADU is sited behind the home of two T+E+A+M members, architectural designer Adam Fure and architect Ellie Abrons.