UDU Design ADU Profiles

To learn more about this company, check out ADU Design-Builder Profile: UDU Design LLC. For a more in-depth look, read Paz Pozarycki’s ADU: Taking it Down a Notch.

ADU #1

• Square Footage: 640
• Year Built: 2015
• Architect/Designer: UDU Design LLC
• Builder: JAM Concept Remodeling
• ADU Type: basement conversion
• Current Use: long-term rental
• Ballpark Cost: $83,000

The Project: Clients currently reside in California and asked to remodel existing home and add the UDU for additional income.

Design Challenges: Work around existing ductwork and furnace, moving the gas line and meter to allow for ideal egress window location, and soundproofing and fireproofing. Water runoff from existing house. Creating light in a basement unit. Creating a sense of openness and space.

Building Challenges: Disparate view and inconsistencies between city planners at BDS and onsite inspectors. For example:

1. City planners had over-the-top requirements for fireproofing between existing house and new UDU, some of which were revised by field inspector. On site inspector was much more realistic and reasonable.
2. The need to move the gas line to keep within our ideal design and location for light and egress. The unreasonable and monopolistic control of the costs for NW Natural increased the budget substantially.
3. Sloping floors of existing basement, walls not square, identifying and correcting existing plumbing and electrical issues, structural and foundation issues with existing home, making sure rain water runoff is addressed to insure that no water will ever get into the basement.

The Solutions: We created more light by going with larger than required egress windows and larger windows in main living area. Pocket doors for each room to allow for more space throughout the unit. Soffits and nice design features created by covering the existing plumbing stack and situating within the shower. Sloped soffits within the space creating angles rather then rectangles, which softened the overall feel.

ADU #2

• Square Footage: 600
• Year Built: 2015
• Architect/Designer: UDU Design LLC
• Builder: UDU Design and JAM Concept Remodeling
• ADU Type: basement conversion
• Current Use: long-term rental
• Ballpark Cost: $72,000

The Project: Client was recently divorced and looking to create additional income.

The Challenges: Working within a tight budget. Moving gas line to accommodate the exterior staircase entry (which added substantial cost). Working with BDS to allow staircase within setback.

The Solutions: Keeping the existing 1950’s floor in place and sealing. This created some savings which we then allocated to moving gas line. Use of 50% or more recycled and repurposed building materials from the Rebuilding Center, which again helped with the budget. BDS did allow us to work within the setback by keeping a thick hedge in place between property lines.

ADU #3

• Square Footage: 290 Square Feet
• Year Built: 2014
• Architect/Designer: UDU Design LLC
• Builder: JAM Concept Remodeling
• ADU Type: basement conversion
• Current Use: long-term rental
• Ballpark Cost: $29,000

The Project: Client was looking to create a private area within the house to create rental income.

The Challenges: This was a very small space to work with and again was a basement unit. Our challenge was creation a sense of openness and allowing for the most amount of natural light to enter the space.

The Solutions: Our favorite innovative design feature was to install a window from the Rebuilding Center in the wall separating the bedroom and the living area to allow the light from the 2 large egress windows installed in the bedroom to flood the living area.

About linamenard

Hi. My name is Lina Menard and I'm a small house dweller, designer, blogger, and builder. I'm currently collecting ADU Case Studies for AccessoryDwellings.org. Through my company Niche Consulting LLC, I help people design and build the home (and life) of their dreams! I also tell my stories about simple living in small spaces - like a travel trailer, a yurt, a backyard cottage, and tiny houses on wheels - at Niche News.

View all posts by linamenard →