This Sculptural ADU Steals the Show—and the Front Yard

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Project Details:

Location: Altadena, California

Architect: Cover Architecture / @cover_arch

Footprint: 620 square feet

Builder: Sulgatti General Contractor

Structural Engineer: Ji Xia

Interior Styling: EEK Studio / @eekstudio

Interior Styling: Crystal Voyager / @crystal__voyager 

Photographer: Leonid Furmansky / @_leonidfurmansky

From the Architect: "This street-facing ADU presents a sculptural facade, bringing intrigue to a quiet Altadena neighborhood. Its expressive sloped partition wall with a large circular opening at once conceals and reveals what’s beyond the parapet.

"Designed by principal architect Yan Wang of Cover Architecture, the 620-square-foot dwelling is a place for his mother, Pei and her partner, Dan—both former professors, to enjoy their retirement while living in proximity to Yan and his young family who reside in the primary house on site.

"Contrary to the typical residential lot, the ADU is situated at the front given that the existing suburban 1961 ranch-style single-story house is pushed all the way to the edge of a ravine, overlooking Hahamongna Watershed Park. The introduction of two new structural forms—the ADU and storage—are designed to intentionally challenge the prosaic post-and-beam house at the back of the lot. This deliberate contrast in building styles and eras is an interplay between the ordinary and the extraordinary.

"The geometric forms, voids and openings of the front facade are driven primarily by programmatic requirements. Built on a raised foundation, the necessity for stairs and a deck to access the ADU helps integrate an outdoor sitting area to enjoy coffee or read a book behind the partition, which also acts as a protective barrier for privacy. The curvature of the roof eaves responds not only to the curved wall but is configured to invite natural daylight into the dwelling. The resultant facade evolves into a compelling composition where the arched entry of the storage mimics the curvilinear forms of the ADU, allowing the two volumes to read as a singular entity. A pathway between the ADU and storage leads to a centralized courtyard space and the main house, connecting the dwellings to the outdoors as a way of shared, intergenerational living.

"Cheerful geometries extend from the exterior to the interior of the ADU, alongside a light, natural material palette. Playful details such as the round knobs on the Baltic birch plywood millwork throughout the rooms lend a soft hand feel to the tactile experience. Light gray colored Pietra Artica Marble on the kitchen counter and onyx marble on the bathroom vanity surfaces impart a touch of sophistication. Given a fairly standard layout for an ADU, essential elements such as a sleeping area, bathroom, kitchen, and living space are generously allocated for comfort with the addition of a small office space tucked away in a corner so that the users can continue their scholarly pursuits.

"The three structures, in dialogue with one another, help foster a sense of connection to the outdoors while bridging three generations, providing ample room to commune together and also retreat into private spaces."