In many cities, growing populations are putting a stress on existing housing options. Instead of building new condos and apartments, one creative solution is to increase the density of existing single-family neighborhoods by allowing "backyard cottages." These small dwelling units can be rented out for supplemental income or serve as a living space for extended family. (Some homeowners are even deciding to downsize to the cottage and rent out the primary home!) Cities like Seattle have recently changed their zoning code to allow these detached accessory dwelling units (nicknamed "DADU's") and local architects and homeowners have been eager to explore the possibilities. See 10 examples from Seattle and beyond after the jump!
In addition to the their small size and urban settings, many of these examples also boast sustainable features like rainwater catchment, super insulation and the use of simple and durable materials.
Top Row:
1 This modern red box in the Central District of Seattle was one of the first backyard cottages to make big waves. Built in the backyard of a rental property, this creative solution proved to be an affordable housing option in an otherwise expensive city (via Dwell).
2 A modern and bright 450 square foot, 2-story loft by Regeneration Design is an extension of an existing 1920's garage in the Rainier Beach neighborhood of Seattle.
3 A prototype by Seattle architecture firm Bjarko Serra, this modern home with a butterfly roof is designed with many sustainable features.
4 A pre-fab option by Michigan architect Michael Fitzhugh, this cottage is constructed of structural insulated panels (SIPs) for a super efficient building envelope.
5 The L2Q studio by Seattle architect Peter Cohan has a cantilevered upper story, creating a carport below and is designed to be constructed at less than $125/SF.
Bottom Row:
6 The Backyard House from SHED, a Seattle-based architecture firm, is small in size but without the cottage aesthetic.
7 The Readymade backyard cottage is a great example of how modular units can be arranged to create usable outdoor living spaces (via Sunset Magazine).
8 Designed as a retirement home for a couple who decided to rent out their primary residence, this home is designed to compliment the character of the existing home and will feature a rainwater catchment system (via CAST architecture).
9 The Microhouse is an "eco-cottage" designed with affordability in mind. (Plans are also available for purchase.)
10 Designed by San Francisco-based architect Christi Azevedo, an old 1908 carriage house was renovated into a stunning residence (via Dwell).
(Images: as linked)
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In Milwaukee these are called "rear-houses" and they're absolutely common.
Check out Austin's Alley Flat Initiative - small, friendly, texas design.
http://www.thealleyflatinitiative.org/
LBro, so funny to run into you in the internet blog world! I was also going to plug for the Alley Flat Initiative when I read this post too!
Not only are the Alley flats pretty nice to look at, but they can also serve a social cause as well; by providing low income housing (the rental income is used to offset the homeowners mortgage) while increasing urban density.
@LBro and Lauren AK - super cool, thanks for sharing! I love that they're called something different (backyard cottages, rear houses, alley flats, etc.) depending on where you live!
These are good as for comparing to apartments and condos, these backyard cottages are more affordable.
Sarti's house (#1) is probably my favorite house I've ever seen in magazines or websites. His use of the half-property along with his use of simple materials on the interior just sold this for me. I want one for myself!
Love it! Someone is building one of these behind a house in my aunt's McMansion neighborhood much to my surprise and delight. Although I must say there was probably enough room in the house to house four families.
We used to call them mother in law cottages.
I live in Seattle and need to find out what my options are regarding tearing down my 1 car garage and building something better with more space.
We have lots of these in my turn of the century urban neighborhood, called carriage houses. Some of them are really lovely. I like the idea of building new ones in suburbia.
Dahlia,
Microhouse in the article is in Washington State and do work in the local Seattle area. There are also plenty of prefab cottage companies in Seattle/Washington/Portland areas. Do a google search for 'prefab cottage'.
In Vancouver, BC we call them coach houses or laneway houses.
DahliaCactus - I'm with you. We have a falling down detached garage - but will still need a garage here in Minneapolis - but would love more living space and prefab/modern. Any ideas/links out there for garage/living space/creative solutions?
jkmp - ventura village (the neighborhood) in Minneapolis has a carriage house program. I haven't seen them in person, but they have several different plans available. I think they're supposed to be cheap, green, and meet Minneapolis code (although you'd need to get approval if you're not living in parts of the city already zoned to allow them, but from what the city people told me it didn't sound like that was a big deal.) It's not prefab, but it could be a good starting point.
oops, my comment sounded a little garbled. I meant that I have not seen the carriage houses or the plans in person, but Ventura Village Neighborhood Association has plans available to the public. The city is very supportive of the program as a way to boost housing options and because it offers "eyes on the street," or in this case, alley. Minneapolis won't allow you to replace parking spots with housing, so these presumably do include an actual garage in addition to living space.
On Maui, this is very common and is usually referred to as an ohana informally but as an accessory dwelling in the building code. My neighborhood has 1/2 acre lots so just about every house has one. Used for extended family living, rentals or bed & breakfast. Is a godsend for many families as the cost of land is so high here. Or in some cases, someone will buy the land, build a cottage and live in it, years down the road, they will then build the main larger house when they can afford it.
@Dahlia
The PNA holds backyard cottage classes: phinneycenter.org. Old garages are often beyond the build-able limits, so you have to renovate, not teardown.
Also see www.minibpassivehouse.com, small and very efficient!
DahliaCactus - you do have some great options. backyard cottages in seattle can be up to 800sf of area. i did one recently for family of four - it had three bedrooms and two baths!