Aging in Place ADU
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are one of KMA’s specialties, and many state laws now allow these units as a means of increasing housing capacity. The owners of this property wanted to replace their disused garage with a backyard cottage that would allow their parents to age in place, and that could later be repurposed as a rental property or serve the current owners as they age themselves.
The KMA team proposed a modest, two-story structure that meets both local ADU requirements and the client’s specific needs. The cottage echoes the original house using stucco for the exterior walls, but its materials and roof structure are otherwise quite modern. KMA also reconfigured the backyard and main house deck to provide shared, multi-generational outdoor space. The main floor of the cottage is just two short steps up, making for safer access and facilitating the installation of a simple ramp in the future.
On the inside, the 680 square foot first floor features a bright, open living area, including a first-floor bedroom suite with an accessible bathroom. The lofted, 550 square foot second floor features a second bedroom, bathroom, and a small alcove perfect for studying. This two-story design avoids the expense of an elevator by providing a bedroom and bathroom on both levels. If at any time the stairs become too much of a challenge, the downstairs bedroom and accessible bath can become the primary spaces for the residents, leaving the upstairs available for guests or a live-in caregiver.
