This accessory dwelling unit occupies an oversized front yard, creating a more consistent streetscape in the historic Railroad Square neighborhood of Santa Rosa. Melding modern and historic features, this new, 2-story home contains one bedroom, one and half bathrooms, an office, and a workshop space in nearly 1700 square feet.
Project Status: Completed November 2019
This accessory dwelling unit in Santa Rosa’s Railroad Square, is situated in the rear portion of a corner lot, affording it convenient street access. The 616 square foot unit occupies the second story of the new building, above an equally sized garage, workshop and laundry space on the ground floor. The entrance and windows are placed to optimize privacy between this unit and the main house on the property. A covered balcony extends across the entire front of the 1-bedroom unit, extending the living space by 6 feet. The interior is a modern, open floor plan, while the exterior borrows from historical themes in the neighborhood, such as hip roofs and placement of the main floor above a utility level.
Project Status: Completed Summer 2021
This accessory dwelling unit (ADU) was designed for the residents’ mother as a home where she could be close to family and age in place. Taking the place of a ramshackle shed in the back yard, the 361 SF ADU is linear along the east-west axis and sits across the patio from the main house, forming a courtyard. The space is organized into a studio with a kitchenette, living area, and sleeping area, as well as a separate bathroom with a zero threshold shower. A storage and mechanical closet is accessible from the exterior at one end. Clerestory windows bring in the southern light while maintaining privacy between the ADU and the main house. Windows on the east and north provide views into the yard. The shed roof and cement board panel siding with wood accents lend a modern touch to this backyard cottage.
Project Status: Completed Summer 2025
Project Team
Structural Engineer: Structural Design Group
Energy Consultant: Delta T Energy
General Contractor: Owner-Builder
This 1,129 SF accessory dwelling unit (ADU) was designed for two artists and features two art studios that can be converted to one or two bedrooms in the future, if desired. One studio will be dedicated to painting, and the other to glass art. The glass studio needed a wet room and kiln space as well as an open work area. In addition to the studios, the ADU includes a kitchen/dining room space, which is separated from a living room by a pair of large, glazed pocket doors. The dining and living rooms will double as gallery space for art shows. Because of the art studio and gallery use, there were also numerous lighting requirements, for both natural and electric light. There are two covered entries into the ADU: a ramped, wide entry into the glass studio, suitable for wheeling large equipment and materials, and a more traditional front door entry into the living areas. Although the ADU was sited in a flat, open back yard, it was designed to give a wide berth to a large redwood, as well as preserving several other, smaller trees. The ADU is detailed and finished to match the existing craftsman primary residence.
Project Status: Complete June 2025
Project Team
Structural Engineer: MKM & Associates
Energy Consultant: Delta T Energy
General Contractor: Dan Boyle Construction
This 900 SF accessory dwelling unit (ADU) joins an existing duplex on a residential property in West Sebastopol. The project takes advantage of recent changes in ADU laws allowing more units to be built on properties with existing multi-family units.
A covered porch invites you in to discover an open concept living space with beautiful views to the adjacent wetland. A short hall leads to two bedrooms, a bathroom, and a laundry closet. Vaulted ceilings enhance the living spaces and bedrooms. Sliding glass doors lead from both the living room and primary bedroom to a covered back porch, which in turn opens onto a spacious, private yard.
Project Status: Completed December 2025
Project Team
Structural Engineer: Structural Design Group
Energy Consultant: Delta T Energy
Owner-Builder
This 1,020 SF accessory dwelling unit (ADU) occupies the side yard of the main residence. The ADU widens from front to back with a width of 12′-0″ at the front and 15′-0″ at the back. Entering from the side, you walk into the great room with high, vaulted ceilings. A deck extends out toward the street and is accessed by bi-fold doors to expand the livable area of the unit during the many days of pleasant weather in this climate.
Set on a hill, the ADU steps up first to a landing with a half bath, and then up again to the laundry room, full bathroom and bedroom. The bedroom features a window seat and raised bathtub nook with a large window, skylights, and door leading to an exterior shower.
An exterior staircase leads to a roof deck and second bedroom with its own bathroom and wet bar. A large planter allows for plantings and a trellis provides shade.
The exterior siding includes stucco and vertical cedar. The gabled roofs are standing seam metal.
Project Status: Under Construction
Project Team
Structural Engineer: Ian Hoff Design
Energy Consultant: Delta T Energy
Owner-Builder
This 1,200 SF accessory dwelling unit (ADU) boasts three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a high-ceilinged open living space. Perched on a hillside, this project celebrates views to Hood Mountain to the east with large sliding glass doors that open onto a spacious covered patio to create a seamless indoor/outdoor experience. The ADU has a two-car garage attached, with substantial storage built in.
When the property’s original home burned in the Wine Country fires of 2017, the previous owners planned to rebuild. However, circumstances changed and they eventually sold the property. The new owners decided to start with the ADU, which they are living in while they design and build a new main residence.
Project Status: Completed October 2025
Project Team
Structural Engineer: Structural Design Group
Energy Consultant: Delta T Energy
Civil Engineer: Robertson Engineering
General Contractor: Ron Vann Construction
