Cedar Cottage ADU

The Cedar Cottage creates space and flexibility for a young family living in Seattle. This one-bedroom design serves a variety of needs; it houses visitors, is an income generator, and is set to provide available space and privacy for a parent aging in place.

The cottage responds to its site, tucked between mature evergreen trees in the Morningside neighborhood. The home has a super-efficient footprint that provides well daylit living space, necessary storage, plus a substantial covered outdoor living area. It is oriented for privacy and the design limits shadow and visual impact for neighbors.

The design of this DADU (Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit), at only 467 SF, is accessible with one-level living, flush entry thresholds and flooring transitions, a smart space-saving pocket bathroom door, a galley kitchen, and a generous central entry that connects the spaces. Carefully placed large windows and glass entry doors flood the space with light that bounces off the white walls and light flooring to make it feel larger than its square footage.

There was a need to retain yard space and privacy for the main house and accommodate multiple potential use scenarios. We set the orientation to the side yard created the opportunity for separate outdoor spaces belonging to the main house and cottage respectively.

We worked closely with the arborist to investigate the extent of tree roots and to site clearing the root systems of large trees. The clients’ desire to have the home feel like it is "in the trees" was met.

Accessible
The Cedar has living on one level with flush entry thresholds and flooring transitions. It will be ideal for seniors looking to downsize but not compromise on the quality of life.

Privacy
The careful opening placement allows for privacy on three sides, with a covered open patio as the indoor/outdoor focus on living space. The design limits shadow and visual impact for neighbors.

Sustainable
Green building features include energy-efficient heating, cooling and water heating systems, passive solar heat gain in window/shading, all LED lighting, low VOC recycled and renewable materials, and no fossil fuel use appliances. The design can be certified as a Built Green 4-Star without much modification.

Repeatable
The Cedar Cottage has been pre-approved by the City of Seattle as a standard plan with an expedited permit review at a lower soft cost.