Budget Breakdown: An LA Garage Is Transformed Into a Vaulted ADU for $230K
A sleeping niche, carefully planned plumbing, and the perfect light fixture make for a big impact in this renovation by MR Studios.
A sleeping niche, carefully planned plumbing, and the perfect light fixture make for a big impact in this renovation by MR Studios.
It was the combination of a location in a great school district, a charming town, and "the least awful of the houses we were looking at in our price point" that led lighting designer Kille Knobel to purchase her 1,500 square foot ranch-style house in 2009 in Glendale, Los Angeles. And since the home had been recently renovated by an investor, it was move-in ready—even if the finishes weren’t her favorite.
Sited on a quiet street in La Crescenta, California against the backdrop of the adjacent Verdugo Mountains, the home was originally built in 1950 with a detached garage.
Photo by Brian Outland
Fast forward nearly fifteen years, and Kille was ready for an update. The house was built in 1950, and its detached two-car garage had been constructed at the same time, painted to match the main house. Kille, who is a single mother of 3 teenage boys (plus a dog!) and works as a lighting designer for live concerts and special events, was initially looking for a way to renovate her main home so that guests wouldn’t need to go out a rear door and re-enter the house in order to use the bathroom. After some initial investigation, Kille realized the potential of her garage, and the possibilities of expanding and converting it.
The ADU's painted stucco exterior is consistent with the exterior of the main house, which made getting local building department approval easier. "We selected Benjamin Moore Fire Dance for the front entry door; it’s the cherry on top of the color palette, working equally well on the interior and exterior," explains architect Emily Mohr.
Photo by Brian Outland
To carry out that idea, Kille hired the LA-based firm of MR Studio, a growing architecture practice led by Emily Mohr and Jonathan Rieke. With a construction target of about $230,000, they sought to "maximize space and effect on an efficient budget," says Mohr.
"Economy was always at the forefront of all of our decision making due to the high cost of building in California," explains Kille. But that did not stop her and the design team from selecting strong color choices, like green kitchen cabinets and a bold orange-red front door.
Photo by Jamie Barron
See the full story on Dwell.com: Budget Breakdown: An LA Garage Is Transformed Into a Vaulted ADU for $230K
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