My real problem was with the U-shaped dining table in #2. That's very inconvenient.

Good point! Thank you

Why do you want to build an ADU?

Is Mw the same as HU-52344323 ?

Why would you want your dining area so far from the kitchen? Also, do you really want a bathroom right next to your tv viewing area?

debra

Why are you building this 2 bed/1 bath unit? As a guest house for your family or as an apartment you will rent out?

So far you've got 3 "Why", 1 "Is", 1 "My", and someone trying to impersonate the OP.

Designing the ADU for whom and for what purpose?

If for a family member, consider "home". Even if small, a designated entry can make a big difference. From there, you enter a cozy gathering area.

Take a minute to read:

https://athomewithgrowingolder.substack.com/p/making-an-accessory-dwelling-unit

@Mark Bischak, Architect Yes, for some reason my name was changed to HU-52344323 but I'm the original poster. My husband and I will live in it at some point. It is approximately 900-1000s.f. We may rent it out while we stay in our home for the time being (that exists on the same lot). Eventually, we may want to rent out both the house and the ADU, and travel.

@djacob z6a SEWI You bring up good points. Yes, I agree, I don't like the bathroom right next to the TV viewing area either! When I realized it, we came up with the other design (U-shaped kitchen), which we're leaning toward. But that one won't have windows in the kitchen area (due to privacy issues) and windows would be on the TV wall instead. The windows don't look out to much, just an ivy covered wall and the neighbors treetops.

@chispa potentially both. first to rent out and then for us to live in for retirement

@User Thank you, I'll read the article. If there is anything specific in the design that you would like to point out, please do. We have extremely limited options with the weirdly shaped lot we're building on!

Try not to design in so many awkward and cutesy things that are just dysfunctional. Basic simplicity is best. Why all the jogs and jigs and weird rooflines and foundation changes? They add nothing but expense and awkwardness.

The entire thing, both plans, are as though someone from rural non electrified Estonia only had ever seen bad modern bloated McHouse plans, and then tried to translate them to the small 2 room country cottages they were used to seeing in their home country. But instead of bringing the cottage charm, they focused on designing in the singular lack of charm or utility that afflicts most of todays derivative and awkwardly proportioned McDIY Pseudomansions. Mini McDIY Pseudomansions. That only wishes it was a charming carriage house out back.

You need a design professional. Badly.

You lose me with the multi colored sky box view

Post a legible, black and white 2/d on paper version, with a dimension to every wall , window and opening and label the rooms..

Maybe we can fix it.

Why a projector in this day and age?

Basically, you are designing a 2 Bed/ 1 bath apartment, so look to those for inspiration, like NYC apartments. You are trying to squeeze in a kitchen and dining room that would go in a larger family home.

Is whole project all new construction or is it an addition to an existing residence? (I think it is an addition but I want to make sure)

Do you have a local residential architect involved currently?

How does the entire house/site relate to the ADU?

Reframe the situation: You are building a 1000 square foot house, not a 500 square foot ADU. If the house were on a new lot, would you hire an architect?

BTW, if you are interested in seeing new small-house plans that were architect-designed, check out https://www.foothillcatalog.org/the-catalog

The houses have varying sizes. They were designed with reasonable budgets in mind to replace houses lost in the Eaton fire in Altadena last year.

@KT Builders I completely understand what you’re saying, but we are trying to make the best use of a pie-shaped lot. The house has a backyard with a pool all of which would be separate. We like all the features the unit would have, and they all look very functional to me. I’m not sure what you mean by dysfunctional. Can you be more specific? We’re in a modern suburban area, and cottage is not our vision. Once my husband and I retire there, I don’t want to live in a five 500 ft.² Studio.

@Mark Bischak it’s an addition to an existing residence, you’re right. Currently there is not an architect involved. As structural engineer will be looking at whichever design we choose. I believe an architect will be brought in as well. It’s a pie shaped lot so we are trying to get a decent amount of square footage into that space.

Can someone please explain to me the difference between a structural engineer and an architect and why both are needed? We haven’t invested much so far and I want to make sure we’re not with an outfit we’ll regret working with.

An overly simplified discription would be a structural engineer training focuses on the strength of construction materials and their application. An architect training includes art, physics, mathematics, english, law, economics, structural design, electrical design, landscape design, urban design, interior design, and an assortment of electives.

An architect's education includes engineering, it just does not go in such depth as a structural engineer's education.

Hope that helps.

A pie shaped lot, something like this design if the lot ends at the tip.

Or is the lot narrower at the front and wider at the back?

It’s a narrower at the front and wider at the back

What if the ADU were attached to the house, leaving the large back yard available to

to work with the main house and the ADU? That way you would not be giving up the best of the lot to the ADU.

When we built our last home, the first ideas were scribbled on a cocktail napkin. We knew we would need a structural engineer, an environmental engineer and an architect. On the advice of our real estate attorney (who is a principal in a large firm), we went with a LOCAL engineering company who has all under one roof. It started with the cocktail napkin and the architect...a collaboration, of sorts, between her and us (and the napkin). Once the design was in place, then it went to the next office, for the structural engineer to prepare it for the town building department. Because our lot was so close to the water, the environmental engineer was involved as well. Long story...if you have a local firm with all you need under one roof, that is where I would start. You have lots of ideas, but we don't know your lot, your neighborhood, the building codes, or even environmental restrictions. Maybe you are not abutting conservation, but are you on a septic system, for instance.

Begin with your lot. Find out what you can build and what restrictions will control your design. Every town and state has different regulations. I am in MA and it was only 2025 that the state allowed an ADU...however with restrictions: size of lot, set backs, septic restrictions, and size...only 900 sq ft. And, absolutely, no rentals. It will add to the value of the property, so real estate taxes could be higher. Even if your state allows an ADU to be built, don't be surprised if the neighbors get involved (yeah or nay). That's why you want a local firm involved. They know the town, they know the restrictions, and they do all the work. Should the building department get its back up, well, you have your LOCAL engineering firm to represent your interests. Cost up front? Cheaper than an assisted living option.

Just because the lot is pie shaped, and this is an addition, does not mean that the ADU should be designed as a bad TETRIS "solution". An architect would take the lot, overlay the setbacks and existing footprint, and start there. Without it being a bunch of cubes that flow poorly.

To properly evaluate the alterntive and to make any viable solutions you need to provide a floor plan on a site plan of each alternative that clearly shows what is existing and what is proposed. The amount of advice will be limited by the amount of information not provided.

@McDonald Enterprises. The ‘cubes’ are for washer/dryer and storage space. I see that as very functional. I like that the bedrooms have two different ‘wings’ for privacy, that the common area couch placement can be adjusted depending on needs (in Design 1), that people seated in the nook can watch the TV wall (projector).

I don’t like all the outside corners (on the left side) though and I’m concerned about the roofline. That part doesn’t seem to be taken into consideration.

@Mark Bischak I appreciate your kind tone :)

I’m attaching two rough sketch site plans that are more minimalist. They show the lot shape and partially the main house and backyard.

Truthfully I’m used to a large space with a great deal of storage. Square feet is important to me as is storage space.

I think the 'cubes' McDonald Enterprises was referring to are the rooms that are conceivably arranged TETRIS style.

Too many extra lines on the site plans.

@Mark Bischak, Architect I think it's better to have 'boxes' than walls at angles though, right? We're rethinking the larger plan and will likely go with the sketch I posted here more recently. I'm sorry it's hard to read.

@User Thank you for your description of the process - and good point about the cost of assisted living!