DADU

A Seattle family was expecting their third child and hoping to find space for an additional bedroom within their existing one-story home. A small second floor addition was considered but the cost and disruption to the family living space presented serious drawbacks. A new detached garage and DADU (Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit), to be located in the backyard, was proposed to free up the existing basement garage for the new bedroom.

Check out a time lapse of construction: https://vimeo.com/121827037

The new building is modest and simple, designed with a scale and character to complement the existing house and neighborhood.

The location along the alley provides privacy and helps define the backyard into areas for play, gardening and entertaining. The exterior cedar siding is finished with a natural preservative that will age subtly over time, requiring little to no maintenance.

The steep driveway that once divided the backyard was filled and surfaced with pavers to create a multi-use ‘outdoor room’ that connects both buildings.

To maximize the openness of the interior space, only the bathroom is enclosed.

The studio apartment above the garage was permitted under Seattle’s recent zoning policies, designed to encourage affordable housing in single family neighborhoods.