Over the last decade, accessory dwelling units (ADUs) have become a crucial area of housing design and construction in metropolitan areas of California, as policy makers have come to see backyard cottages as an important part of the solution to the state’s dire housing crisis. The impetus behind the Roommate House was to see if we could fit two units within a single ADU with a small footprint of just 550 SF in order to meet a typical need: space for two roommates who want to economize on expenses through sharing a home, yet also desire their own rooms. By placing the kitchen and bathroom in the center, flanked by two equal spaces, the plan provides flexibility to accommodate different kinds of families and living arrangements beyond what the typical single family house generally provides.

Photos: Matthew Millman
Contractor: Moraes Construction