Architects: Mork-Ulnes Architects
Area: 411 ft²
Year: 2023
Photography: Bruce Damonte
Manufacturers: Hansgrohe, Duravit, Blanco, Cembrit, Daltile, FLOS, Fleetwood
Design Team: Casper Mork-Ulnes, Phi Van Phan, Robert Scott, Lexie Mork-Ulnes, Kaoru Lovett
Job Captain: Kaoru Lovett
Structural Engineer: David Strandberg
Civil Engineer: Adobe Associates, Inc. (Aaron R. Smith)
Contractors: Damner Construction, Axelson Builders
City: San Anselmo
Country: United States
The San Anselmo ADU, an accessory dwelling unit designed by Mork-Ulnes Architects in Marin County, California, exemplifies the innovative utilization of a compact space. Standing on the same footprint as a former garage, this structure of 411 ft², completed in 2023, ingeniously leverages the steep hillside terrain. With features like a versatile roofline that mimics the slope and adds functionality through cleverly positioned windows and decks, this project deftly addresses the challenges of limited area and topography while enhancing living quality.
Mork-Ulnes Architects undertook the project of constructing a small guesthouse and rental unit by utilizing the foundational footprint of an erstwhile garage located on a precipitous hillside property in Marin County, California. This led to the development of a new Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU).
The design features a distinctive sharply angled roofline that not only complements the slope of the site but also facilitates clerestory window lighting above the cabinetry wall. Additionally, an inventive modification in the roof structure allows for a punched window in the loft that offers a picturesque view of the surrounding trees. The use of cement board for cladding provides both fire resistance and maintenance ease, appropriate for the wooded hillside setting. The ADU’s design cleverly includes a front deck to maximize the usable outdoor space, effectively doubling the livable area of the unit, which makes the most of California’s temperate climate.
On the interior, the ADU’s modest footprint is maximized through flexible design solutions. It features a rolling kitchen island that can be moved both indoors and outdoors as required and a Murphy bed that retracts into the wall during the day, transforming into a sleeping area at night. The loft, which is accessible via a ladder that retracts into the wall, includes a window that not only provides views out to the trees but also overlooks the living area below.
The bathroom is cleverly divided into two separate spaces: one housing the toilet and sink, and another featuring a forest-green tiled shower room. The shower room is uniquely designed with a glass door that opens directly to the tree-lined hillside, enhancing the connection with nature.
Currently, the ADU serves as a vacation cabin for the owners while their main house undergoes renovations, highlighting its versatility and functionality as both a guesthouse and a temporary primary residence.
Project Gallery
Project Location
Address: San Anselmo, USA
Location is for general reference and may represent a city or country, not necessarily a precise address.
