Recurve ADU is a unique and nuanced response to the desire for a young couple to build a home in a city where that dream is becoming more and more difficult to achieve. Made possible by new state- wide zoning laws allowing for the construction of accessory dwelling units in R1 z ones, the clients' mother agreed to provide the land for them to build a small starter home. The design of the home provides a direct and open connection to the rear garden on the ground level via a series of large pocketing sliding glass doors from the open living/kitchen space. The expansive series of decks serve as a programmatic bridge between the main house and the ADU. Over the existing garage the new building takes the form of a simple platonic box and as it moves closer to the main residence begins to respond to its context by curving in plan; first responding to a large existing tree and then curving back to observe the minimum required separation of structures, and then curving back yet again to provide an elegant transitional space for the stairwell. Above the stairwell a custom skylight floods the space with natural
light. In elevation, the vertical wood rain screen playfully dips below the ceiling plane, softening the edge of the overhang and creating a visual conversation with the trees and garden. The program is for a 2 bedroom, 2-1/2 bath accessory dwelling unit. The first floor consist of the existing garage, which is being converted into a media room/den and laundry/utility space, and adjacent is a kitchen/living that opens out onto an expansive series of decks that connect the ADU to the existing residence through the landscape. A curving staircase with custom skylight above takes you to the second floor where you will find two bedrooms and two baths. The master suite has folding wood and glass doors which will open out onto a private deck with a view of the neighboring gothic church spire in the distance.
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