Peterson Architects was initially asked to develop a 500 sq ft detached single-story ADU, using alternative materials and construction techniques, and these explorations have continued under the auspices of Public Architecture. The proposal makes use of low cost, high-performance, and often unconventional building systems in a simple and direct low gable backyard building form. The wall system is a series of prefab insulated aluminum panels developed for commercial refrigeration buildings. The primary fenestration are glazed garage doors that enable the small dwelling to open to the adjacent private garden. The planted roof offers low runoff, high insulation, and is a nod to the rear yard context.
Across the country, the need for affordable, multigenerational, sustainably designed housing is accelerating. Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)—more commonly known as in-law units, secondary apartments, or granny flats—are viable mechanisms for filling this need, without dramatically changing the character of existing neighborhoods or communities. Recognizing this, the State of California recently revised crucial legislation (CA AB 1866, Wright, Gov. Code Section 65852.2) to encourage such development, and similar efforts are underway in local municipalities across the country.
