In the 1990’s, oversized master bathrooms with whirlpool tubs ranked tops in providing the highest return on investment in home sales. In the early 2000s sleek kitchens with the most up-to date technology were the most valued amenity. The November 17 Wall Street Journal reported what we’ve known for sometime – the most valued amenity in new homes today is … the accessory dwelling unit. The Journal describes an ADU as a zone in a home that has a private entrance, a bathroom, and food prep area to accommodate an older – or younger – generation of family members.
The article notes that an accessory dwelling unit may also function as a home office, studio, or escape space for loud music. The key design elements for these functions are no different.
Warmmodern living designs accessory dwelling units into most of our Lindal projects. One, shown here, is a private guesthouse for visiting family and guests, linked to a weekend retreat by a screened porch. The porch area could also have been enclosed to function as the home’s main entry, dining room, or gallery.
Another shown here is a space over the lower level garage and accessed through the home's entity foyer, purposefully designed to evolve from an apartment for elderly parents, then a home office for professionals who meet with clients at home, and eventually as a master bedroom suite, when children are old enough to occupy their own sleeping zone of the house. Moreover, this private zone was designed to make these transitions without any renovation at all!
The photos shown here are of a more traditional form of ADU, a carriage house – done Lindal style – to serve as guest suite and man/woman cave.
At warmmodern living we inspire our clients with great ideas to build on... and to add value to their Lindal homes.
