Backyard House in San Carlos, with a Detached ADU

Our clients approached us with a vision to demolish an old property on a large lot, and replace it with a new two-story custom home, 6,000 SqFt with five bedrooms and six bathrooms, a swimming pool and a detached ADU. This is a great example of an ADU that meets the city’s requirements for an ADU, but isn’t meant to be used as a dwelling. Instead, our clients want to use the ADU as a gym, as a showering space for the swimming pool, for entertaining near the pool, and for housing the pool equipment. Thus, the ADU has separate sections, each one serving a different purpose.

It's worth highlighting many aspects of the ADU that’s being used for mixed purposes:

• 1. The size of the ADU is sufficient to serve multiple purposes. Each of these sections needs space, and the design allows for that space, while maintaining a natural flow within the entertainment areas.
• 2. The ADU features vaulted ceilings to create a sense of spaciousness, and the large doors bring in plenty of natural light and ventilation. The use of sliding doors instead of French doors saves space, and the sliding doors collapse into the walls, saving precious space.
• 3. The full bathroom is accessible from the interior and exterior, so that it can be used for showering, as well as from within the ADU.
• 4. The design utilizes large sliding doors to create a seamless indoor-outdoor experience.
• 5. The kitchenette is a big part of the entertaining experience, and it has all the essential appliances (refrigerator, cooktop, microwave, water chiller) for that purpose.
• 6. The ADU uses water-resistant and easy-to-clean materials for flooring and surfaces, in case the client’s children come in soaking wet from the swimming pool.
• 7. The ADU’s exterior matches the architectural style of the main house for a cohesive look, and a consistent color palette complements both the main house and the pool area.
• 8. There will be an external grilling area, and our landscaping team installed the gas, water and electric connections for that area, as we brought utility connections to the ADU.

This project highlights our commitment to quality craftsmanship and attention to detail. Several sections of the property are dedicated to our client’s lifestyle, and the design blends elegance with practicality. The home and ADU boast modern amenities and high-end finishes, making it ideal for enjoying a nice lifestyle, as well as entertaining guests.