Roundup: ADUs and Small Custom Homes That Pack a Punch

At just 914 square feet, this Argentinian-inspired entertainment space does exactly what it was designed to do. Built by Seattle-based Dyna Builders and DeForest Architects, the indoor-outdoor gathering space, commonly referred to as a quincho, serves as an outdoor entertainment and dining area with extra room for overnight guests.

Inside, the quincho features a full kitchen, dining table, bedroom, and bathroom, while the outside includes an outdoor kitchen, seating areas, and pool. The two spaces are connected through a large sliding door, and concrete flooring in both the interior and exterior spaces serves as an added transition. Read the full case study.

Located in Los Angeles’ Mt. Washington neighborhood, this 800-square-foot ADU complements a 2,000-square-foot main home while functioning as a standalone unit. Los Angeles-based design/build firm CarbonShack designed the ADU to match the Craftsman style of the main house.

Inside, however, the ADU is entirely its own with a contemporary approach. The interior features a spacious kitchen and living room, plus a downstairs bedroom that takes advantage of the site’s sloped design.

The unit is fully electric and uses solar panels, LED lighting, and heat pumps to optimize energy. Read the full case study.

With strategically-placed courtyards and large expanses of glass, this 1,300-square-foot home, known as Stealth House, feels much brighter and open on the inside than its exteriors would give off.

Situated on an infill lot in Austin, the home was originally designed as a concept by Specht Novak, a local architecture firm. Scott Specht, a founding partner, decided to build it for himself, working with Austin-based builder, Smock Build to bring the design to life.

Although the home’s floor plan includes just one bedroom and one bathroom, built-in features—such as a Murphy bed, an eat-in kitchen booth, and mirrors that reflect the interior courtyard—provide a greater sense of space. Read the full case study.

This 1,315-square-foot home in Seattle’s Madison Park neighborhood blends its owners’ love of traditional design with functional and intentional space planning.

Designed by Seattle-based Best Practice Architecture and built by Seattle-based Summit Development, the one-bedroom, one-bathroom home features an open-concept living room and kitchen area with a double-height ceiling and large glass doors that help draw the eye up and outward.

The home also features a 175-square-foot loft with an alternating-tread stair that not only takes up less square footage but also saves on construction costs. Read the full case study.

Situated within a wooded hillside in Austin, this modern garage apartment was built to be the perfect writer’s getaway. The ADU spans just 550 square feet with a 350-square-foot porch and is built on a hilly lot in a grouping of live oaks.

Built by central Texas-based builder MG Construction Works and designed by Austin-based McKinney York Architects, the ADU’s interiors are described as ​​“old-fashioned details with a modern twist.” Warm wood tones, brass, and detailed trim work define the interiors. The space also features built-in shelving and cabinetry, adding to the cozy feel while also providing storage for the small space. Read the full case study.