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Accessory dwelling units (ADU) are usually just that—accessories to primary residences. But for a couple in Seattle, the sleek addition they built in the alleyway of their property is actually more of a home base.
Seattle studio SHED Architecture & Design worked with the owners to design a space they could live in while renting out the main Craftsman-style home on site. Clad in black metal panels and rising into a point, the ADU creates an airy interior despite its compact footprint.
“In appearance, the building is reminiscent of a cat whose back is fattening to the ground, ready to pounce,” the architects say of the project, which has been named Alley Cat, naturally.
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Designed for aging in place, all of the main living spaces are on the ground floor: The open-plan living room, dining room, and kitchen take up one end while a bedroom with a bathroom take up the other. A ladder leads to a lofted hangout space under four angled skylights. The whole space is wrapped in warm plywood that contrasts against the polished concrete floor and black accents like a custom steel ladder and handrail and Ikea Eckbacken countertops.
Because the house sits behind the main house, the architects were careful to ensure the ADU still retained a sense of isolation. The entire house was designed with a few precisely positioned windows to maximize both natural light and privacy. Meanwhile, a sliding glass door off the living area allows easy access to the couple’s existing garden.
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