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Northridge one-bedroom ADU — exterior front view
Detached ADU

Custom One-Bedroom ADU for Multigenerational Living

1 Bed, 1 Bath · 500 sqft · Northridge, Los Angeles, CA

A professional couple with a young child, living in the San Fernando Valley

The Challenge: Keep Family Close Without Giving Up Privacy or Comfort

This client—a professional couple with a young child—reached out to us with a familiar challenge: how to create space for aging parents who wanted to be close to their grandchild, without crowding the main house.

  • A private, permanent residence for the grandparents
  • A home that could support aging in place
  • A design that didn’t sacrifice backyard space or disrupt their lifestyle

It was a clear case of multi-generational living done right—but the solution had to be thoughtful, safe, and beautiful.

We started with our pre-designed 500 sq ft Wilshire plan and customized it to match the family’s exact needs.

  • Flipping the kitchen layout so the grandmother could look out over the backyard and watch her grandchild play while cooking—something deeply important to her
  • Matching the exterior style of the existing main house to ensure architectural harmony
  • Designing a custom bathroom with built-in bench seat and grab bars for safety and aging-in-place support
  • Installing full-size appliances (36" fridge, 30" range, 24" dishwasher) and a stacked washer/dryer to provide real daily functionality

Even with the compact footprint, the space feels open, well-balanced, and highly livable.

The Result: A Beautiful, Comfortable Home That Brings Generations Together

  • A bright living and kitchen space
  • A safe, luxurious bathroom
  • Smart appliance choices that support daily life
  • A view of the backyard that keeps grandma and grandchild connected every day

Even with the compact footprint, the space feels open, well-balanced, and highly livable.

15 minutes · No obligation

Want something like this for your backyard?

Most clients find their fit in our nine-home Signature lineup. A few each year commission a fully custom build like the one above. Either way, start with a 15-minute Backyard Review — we'll place a Signature Home on your actual property to scale, walk you through the interior in 3D, and quote your project before you commit to anything.

9 Signature Homes · $219K–$459K all-inclusive · or fully custom from $9,990 plans