Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are growing in popularity as more homeowners, designers, and builders work around the constraints of a tight housing market. These modern studio designs offer homeowners the extra space they need for hosting guests, working from home, playing music, and more.
New Canaan Retreat
The New Canaan Retreat by New York, N.Y.-based prefabricated design and construction firm Cocoon9 is a flexible, multipurpose space in New Canaan, Conn., offering expansive views of a protected wetlands area. The retreat serves as an office, poolhouse, studio, and entertainment space, featuring sliding glass doors that open to the pool area and stone retaining walls that terrace down through the valley. The 480-square-foot modular structure was delivered with all interior finishes and fixtures in place, Cocoon9 says, and was set within a day.
Hillmont Studio
The Hillmont Studio by Austin, Texas-based FAB Architecture sits on a bluff overlooking downtown Austin. Constrained by an existing structure and stringent municipal guidelines, FAB developed the full site to allow for an indoor/outdoor lifestyle in a densifying urban area. The 850 square-foot studio is intended as a live-work arrangement for one or two occupants. Two full-height glazed walls allow ample natural lighting, and showcase a poured-in-place concrete wall that extends beyond the length of the enclosure to screen a spacious patio.
Mill Valley Guesthouse
The Mill Valley Guesthouse by San Francisco-based architecture firm Turnbull Griffin Haesloop occupies a steeply sloping lot surrounded by mature cedar and redwood trees. The 640-square-foot space includes a guest room for visiting friends and family, a media room, and a hangout space for teenage children. While the guest room is tucked nearer to the trees, the porch and media room sit on the more open side of the site. A flat patio roof punctuated by round skylights extends the light pattern cast by tree canopies into the porch and indoor spaces.
Briggs Marsh Studio
The Briggs Marsh Studio by Newport, R.I.-based Estes/Twombly Architects is an accessory building to a Little Compton, R.I.-based residence, featuring a photo studio, media room, garage, and pool. Local fieldstone walls are integrated into both the studio structure and pool area. The studio’s design makes best use of southern light exposure, the architects say. A well-lighted space for artwork and media sits above the open pavilion studio, while deep overhangs shade both levels of the home.
Los Angeles Studio
This Los Angeles Studio by Boston-based firm Shawmut Design and Construction is an accessory music studio on a steep lot. The redesigned space includes a meeting room, recording studio, subterranean audio editing suite, and storage space for music equipment. Drywall with acoustical detailing, isolation pins, multi-layered ceilings, and fabric absorption maximize acoustical efficiency while glass, tile, and a water wall contribute to a modern feel throughout.
