A Creative Couple’s Backyard ADU Makes Room for a Gallery and Art Studio
Cleverly repurposing an existing garage, this flexible space in Santa Monica, California, allows the pair to work, recharge, and host family and friends.
Cleverly repurposing an existing garage, this flexible space in Santa Monica, California, allows the pair to work, recharge, and host family and friends.
When a dynamic couple, both in in creative fields, approached Toni Lewis and Marc Schoeplein of Lewis|Schoeplein Architects to add an ADU to their Southern California home, they looked to what was already in front of them to imagine what could be. After they’d briefly considered tearing down a small rear building that was originally a detached garage, they realized that a creative reconfiguration allowed them to maximize lot coverage while keeping the overall construction scope—and cost—in check.
Wedged with precision between the existing garage and pool, the new structure is only 13 feet wide.
Photo by Ivan Feign & Kat Phillips
Favoring natural and low-maintenance materials, the dwelling’s exterior is clad in Cor-Ten steel, shou sugi ban siding from Nakamoto Forestry in Portland, and stucco. A natural-edge wood garden bench draws attention to the angled glass windows of the facade.
Photo by Ivan Feign & Kat Phillips
Incorporating separate entrances to the studio and dwelling volumes gives the homeowners ultimate flexibility and privacy. A board-pressed concrete pony wall anchors the entrance to the studio.
Photo by Ivan Feign & Kat Phillips
See the full story on Dwell.com: A Creative Couple’s Backyard ADU Makes Room for a Gallery and Art Studio
