With Three Good Reasons and $400K, an L.A. Couple Build the ADU of Their Dreams
In housing-strapped Los Angeles, a designer couple take on their own backyard build—and create a new rental in the process.
In housing-strapped Los Angeles, a designer couple take on their own backyard build—and create a new rental in the process.
When Paul and Yuki Gasiorkiewicz bought a nondescript 1930s bungalow in Echo Park, they knew right away that a redesign would be in order. But when they took a closer look at the detached garage in the rear, they discovered a surprisingly stunning view that made them scrap ideas of a renovation in favor of building a brand new accessory dwelling unit.
"Designing a new house in place of the garage had three significant advantages," say Paul and Yuki, who are both designers at architecture firms. "One, it offered us a clean slate to build a brand new house that suited our lifestyle better. Second, the garage had a significantly better location than the main house, with better access to the garden, western-facing sunlight, and an expansive view of the neighborhood hills.
"Third, from both the financial and housing point of view, it made more sense to build a second house. Once complete, it allowed us to rent out the main house, which helps us pay off the mortgage. And, it adds one new dwelling to L.A.’s housing stock, which is currently experiencing a huge shortage."
See the full story on Dwell.com: With Three Good Reasons and $400K, an L.A. Couple Build the ADU of Their Dreams
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