An ADU, also known as an Accessory Dwelling Unit, is a small, permanent structure built on the same property as an existing home. More than just a dressed-up garden shed or garage with a giant TV, a true custom ADU is a livable structure with a kitchen, bathroom, and living space that’s smaller than the main residence but echoes its form and style.
With a new Colorado law going into effect in July that makes it easier to add an ADU in urban areas like Fort Collins and Loveland where accessory dwellings may have previously been restricted, building a custom ADU could be your answer to a new space.
Custom ADUs run the gamut in size, space, and purpose from tiny homes to workshop/studio/guest house combinations. The possibilities are endless:
A custom design-build plan ensures the ADU meets your needs for space, style, and energy-efficient construction with the perfect aesthetic both inside and out.
See our sample projects below and contact us to talk about how to add a custom ADU to your property.
He wanted a woodshop. She wanted a guest room. An energy-efficient custom accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in the backyard of their Old Town Fort Collins home became the perfect solution to house both.
The space incorporates Passive House principles for the construction, which includes using energy-efficient windows from local window manufacturer Alpen and SIGA Majrex intuitive smart vapor barrier. This makes the ADU a cozy place to work and stay in during the winter months while needing only limited heating, and it’s comfortable in the summer without air conditioning.
On the exterior, wood siding matches elements on the main house, while low-maintenance Corten steel accents and a metal roof give the space an industrial look. Double doors on the shop side open wide for unloading woodworking supplies that will be used by the homeowner to build cabinets and a wall bed to complete the guest space, creating a personalized touch from the woodworker himself.
Originally designed as a custom ADU that was half workout retreat, half garage, when the homeowners sold their van, the idea of housing a cushy man cave in its place was born.
The workout side houses a swim spa sunken to the deck level that allows easy entry and exit. The shower makes it quick to rinse off before getting in or out, and the hot tub on the lower deck level is convenient for soaking sore muscles after a good workout. An overhead door opens up the view of the Colorado prairie from the spa’s integrated treadmill in good weather.
The man cave side features a comfortable living area with its own bath for convenience. A second overhead door opens up the space to the patio to extend both the indoor and outdoor living areas for group gatherings or just a place for a break between games on TV.
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