Take the First Step Towards Your Dream Home or Garage! Shop Now for Pre-Designed Plans.
The Future of Urban Development – Accessory Dwelling Units
By: Jessica Craig
There has been a lot of buzz around how will urban areas continue to grow and provide an array of housing opportunities. In an effort to take a step towards solving this question many cities are looking to accessory dwellings or secondary dwellings, but what exactly is an ADU?
Secondary dwellings can come in a variety of types from attached dwellings located above a garage or in the basement level of the primary home; Associated Designs has seen a raise for detached dwellings more commonly referred to as backyard cottages, granny flats, or carriage houses. ADUs come in a range of sizes from 250 square feet tiny homes to 800 or 1000 square foot cottages. They are constructed on lots that already have a primary residence and are a great option for those looking to generate extra income from rental property or are looking to help adult children or aging parents.
Highlighted are three trending secondary dwelling plans created by Associated Designs talented team of home designers.
Modern elegance blends with country simplicity to create an eye catching exterior to the Iris Cottage. At 800 square feet this backyard cottage offers an affordable design with its open floor plan and shed roof. The great room has a vaulted ceiling that opens to a clerestory, flooding the room with natural light. On warm summer days the double sliding glass door opens the great room to the large covered patio. An island with eating bar provides some visual separation between the kitchen and the living area while adding to the available seating. The ceiling drops towards the back of the cottage where two bedrooms are located that share a compartmentalized bathroom. One of the bedrooms has direct access to the full bathroom giving it the feeling of a master suite.
A trio of textures graces the front of the Birkland secondary structure. Vaulted ceilings add to the spaciousness of this otherwise tiny house plan. At 460 square feet this modern design offers a living area that can be shielded from the front door by a sliding bar door. The entry opens up immediately into the kitchen which offers ladder access to the attic that is open to the living area below. Tucked away in a hallway closet is a stacking washer and dryer which is just steps away from the vaulted bedroom.
A delightful blend of country and Craftsman styling work in harmony to create this charming 795 square foot accessory structure. The Aspen Cottage is a two-story accessory dwelling unit offers a pleasant separation of living and sleeping areas. On the first floor is the open great room which extends to the kitchen and is only separated by an eating bar. Steps away from the kitchen are a couple of storage closets – one of which could be utilized as a pantry. A full bathroom with corner shower is also on the main floor across from the stacking washer and dryer tucked under the staircase. On the second floor are two bedrooms with 9’ ceilings that share the homes second full bathroom.
These three charming accessory dwelling units give an idea of the diversity in style and floor plan layout. Each building jurisdiction has different requirements so it is important before starting on your own backyard cottage build to check-in with your building jurisdiction to make sure they allow secondary structures and what requirements the design will need to meet. If you fall in love with one of Associated Designs accessory dwelling designs their modification or custom design services can help you tailor the design to your property and goals. Check out the entire collection at www.AssociatedDesigns.com.
