Overlooking Puget Sound in Seattle’s Sunset Hill neighborhood, this DADU was designed to flexibly evolve to serve a variety of uses for the client over time: initially as a studio and play space with guest space, transitioning into a leasable unit , and eventually to serve as her primary residence after her son moves out on his own. The DADU will begin use as her “urban basecamp” – a compact yet spacious living area above the gear storage to recharge and resupply between outdoor adventures.
The kitchen and living space make use of rolling tool boxes that can be moved out for various projects and easily replaced with finished cabinets as needs change. A free-standing fireplace, backed by the view to the Sound, provides warmth and ambiance when the weather doesn’t cooperate.
Simple and durable materials are used with a deliberately limited palate: Concrete floors with radiant heat are rugged and can withstand a variety of uses. Waxed plywood walls can take bumps and dings with minimal maintenance. A small desk space at the landing, lit from above by north light, serves as the transition from the living space to the sleeping area on the second floor.
Whitewashed structure and horizontal boards brighten the space while adding texture and visual interest, creating a cabin feel upstairs with the same durability of the materials downstairs.
Perched on a bluff above Golden Gardens Park with sweeping views to the west, the DADU maximizes its small size by fully engaging the exterior spaces around it, incorporating natural light through skylights while still maintaining privacy from the main house.
Doors throughout collapse to the sides to fully open the space to the gracious deck and views, while keeping an open and expansive feel in a compact living space. The open plan allows for flexible furnishings and gracious access to the outdoor areas.
