To help an aging parent live independently while staying close to family, this couple added a detached accessory dwelling unit to the backyard of their San Francisco Bay Area home. Drawn to clean-lined contemporary style, they also prioritized comfort, accessibility and everyday functionality. Their collaboration with Canyon Design Build resulted in a bright one-bedroom ADU that supports independent living for one of the homeowners’ fathers while feeling warm and welcoming.
ADU at a Glance
Who lives here: One of the homeowners’ fathers
Location: Corte Madera, California
Size: One bedroom, one bathroom
Design-build firm: Canyon Design Build
The relationship between the main house (left) and the ADU (right) was an important part of the site planning, both physically and aesthetically. “The clients wanted the ADU to be separate but with a feeling of shared space and accessibility for the aging parent,” says Chris Avant, CEO of Canyon Design Build. A shared deck physically links the two structures, while the elimination of stairs helps ensure easy access.
Aesthetically, the ADU mirrors the main house’s contemporary style, color palette and multilevel shed roof. “Our clients wanted both the main home and the ADU to have a clean, dark exterior with a deliberate pop of color,” Avant says. The yellow door on the ADU echoes a long yellow horizontal stripe on the main house, visually connecting the two buildings.
Read more: https://www.houzz.com/magazine/couple-add-a-backyard-adu-for-an-aging-parent-stsetivw-vs~184688184