Buckman ADU

Location
Portland, OR

Size
580 SF

Living large in a small space

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The front elevation of the ADU with garage shows the garage door and landscaping with a small Japanese maple tree.

Located on a typical 50’x100’ lot in the Buckman neighborhood, this client wanted to enhance their property by adding an ADU with a garage. Due to the existing 100-year-old home, the site offered limited space for the desired addition. The result is a new, compact, detached 580 sf building oriented to provide the ADU with direct access to the yard.

The site plan of the project shows the location of the new building in relation to the existing house.
The building has a large folding window-wall facing the yard.
This is a drawing of a plan of the ADU with garage.

The planning strategy thoughtfully divides the small footprint to position a single-car garage facing the street with the remaining 253 sf offering an ADU with a studio apartment-inspired layout. Most importantly, the design integrates a folding window-wall to expand the living area to a spacious patio.

A sofa bed provides the perfect transitional piece to accommodate lounging and sleeping while a small dining table creates a subtle division between the living area and a compact kitchen.

The doors of the ADU are closed in this rendering.
The doors of the ADU are open in this rendering.

While the exterior lap siding and traditional trim take cues from the existing home, the interior offers a more modern appeal. In addition to the expansive window-wall, a vaulted ceiling adds to the open feel and reinforces a sense of spaciousness.

Porcelain tile floors seamlessly connect the interior and exterior spaces, and custom cabinets provide ample storage and a clean, contemporary aesthetic. A pocket door discreetly tucks away the bathroom with a walk-in shower. When open, this well-considered detail helps the entire space feel larger.

The interior of the ADU has a compact kitchen and small living area. The folding window-wall is open to the yard in this rendering.
The folding window-wall in the ADU makes the space feel so much larger.