View of the southwest corner including the chimney-like lightwell that brings light into the staircase.

Avenue 49 ADU

....... location: .Highland Park, CA
...... program: .Residential
.............area: .1,200 sf
...........client: .Private
..........status: .Permitting

The Avenue 49 ADU is a residence for a family of four in the rear yard of an existing single family home. The two story ADU situates itself into the site by taking advantage of the existing grade change.

This creates a split level plan, and elevates the second level above the front house to create an unobstructed view from the master bedroom.

A large window wraps the corner of the master bedroom providing views over the existing house.

The building massing is broken up into a base that comprises multiple white brick solids, as well as distinct vertical cedar-clad volumes that rest above. The marked material difference between the ground level and the upper level creates intentional contrast, and highlights the moments when there is an interplay between them. Two chimney-like lightwells protrude vertically through the roof, bringing light down into the staircase and the lower level.

An outdoor patio is created beneath a cantilever at the rear corner of the ADU.

There are two “roofs” in the project: a lower roof and an upper roof. The upper roof is pitched over the bedrooms and the master bathroom to create vaulted ceilings, while the lower roof (above the foyer, master balcony, and kids’ bathroom) is flat. The upper roof is strategically cut to allow diffuse light to reach the center of the plan.

Interior view of the material treatment of the central “core” housing storage space and the powder room.

Interior view of the central “core” with integrated kitchen cabinetry.

Interior view of the material treatment of the kitchen, including the skylight clad in wood battens.

Interior view of the staircase clad in wood battens that mimic framing and give the appearance that one has stepped inside the walls of the house.

Interior view of custom living room storage.

A skylight over the foyer creates an exciting experience in which inhabitants can look through and become aware of the “in-between” space created by the two roofs. The layers of construction, including exposed rafters, are made visible at the eaves to give the project a tectonic expression that is a modification of familiar elements.

The ground floor plan of the proposed ADU.

The second floor plan of the proposed ADU.

The roof plan of the proposed ADU.

Section looking south showing upper and lower roof, as well as the foyer skylight.

Section looking west showing balcony off of the master bedroom.

Section looking east showing light wells over the living room and the sculptural staircase.

Section looking east showing the outdoor patio under the cantilever.

Animation of massing models showing the iterative design process.

Avenue 49 ADU

....... location: .Highland Park, CA ...... program: .Residential .............area: .1,200 sf ...........client: .Private ..........status: .Permitting

The Avenue 49 ADU is a residence for a family of four in the rear yard of an existing single family home. The two story ADU situates itself into the site by taking advantage of the existing grade change.

....... location: .Highland Park, CA
...... program: .Residential
.............area: .1,200 sf
...........client: .Private
..........status: .Permitting