Craftsman ADU
Accessory Dwelling Unit · Eugene, Oregon · 2021 · Complete
The couple entering their retirement years, sought a place for a woodworker to continue his craft. With an additional bathroom and comfortable environment, the structure could eventually be used for guest space or a live-in caretaker. We designed a craftsman ADU that borrows the character of their 1920s main house without copying it. Different era. Same family.
The conversation
The couple called me, seeking a way to extend their living into the yard. A space for him to continue woodworking close to the house, and comfortable. Entering retirement, he dreamed of fun creative projects out of the way of their daily garage. It needed to be comfortable, and allow for future uses; provide potential to turn the space into a guest home for visitors.
The design problem
Their house is a craftsman on the edge of city limits. That means the ADU had to be deferential without being a copy. It needed to feel like it belonged, like it had always been there, even though the neighbors would know it hadn’t. We matched the roof pitch, played off the textures of the existing home, and used similar trim proportions. But the floor plan is entirely modern: open, efficient, designed for aging in place with wider doorways, a curbless shower, and main-floor everything.
The 250 square foot question
People ask me if their square footage goals are enough for what they’d like to do. With creative use of space, thoughtful planning and consideration of future needs, we can make small structures live larger to support a variety of needs.
What worked
Tucked into the corner by the garden, and right at the property limits, the new structure acts as a bookend for the lawn. It it small, yet comfortably supports what the couple wants to use the ADU for. It is a natural compliment to the existing space the couple intend to love for many years.
- Type
- Accessory Dwelling Unit
- Location
- Eugene, Oregon
- Year
- 2021
- Status
- Complete
- Size
- 251241650 sf
- Bedrooms
- 1
- Accessibility
- ADA-informed: wide doors, curbless shower, zero-step entry
- Style
- xCraftsman, matching 1920s main house
- Materials
- Cedar shingle, composition roof, fir trim
- Timeline
- 4 months design, 6 months construction
- The ADU from the garden — its own presence, not a miniature of the main house
- Garden side cottage feel.
- Finished exterior in deep green and craftsman proportions
- A covered patio for comfortable evenings outside.
- Interior — full kitchen, full life, 241 square feet
- Living space with afternoon light from the south
- View from the entry garden toward the workshop.
- Overlooking the central lawn, where grandkids play and family gathers.