When these homeowners decided to build an ADU, they weren’t just adding square footage; they were looking for a design-build team that could translate their love for their main home into a seamless backyard extension. Working closely together, the MAK team ensured every architectural detail, material choice, and proportion echoed the character of the original house, resulting in a detached backyard cottage that feels cohesive, timeless, and truly at home on the property. Designed as a traditional Cape Cod–inspired ADU, this detached backyard cottage was created to give guests a private, extended-stay retreat while blending seamlessly with the existing home. By echoing the main house’s rooflines, siding, and classic detailing while also adding a matching garden shed, the entire property feels cohesive, timeless, and thoughtfully integrated.

Inside the ADU, strategic smart small space design makes the footprint feel welcoming, not compact. Open sightlines, vaulted ceilings with shiplap detail, and garden-facing windows bring in natural light, while custom shaker cabinetry, built-in banquette seating, and hidden kitchen storage maximize efficiency. Marble tile in the bathroom and traditional finishes throughout reinforce the classic style, creating a guest house ADU that homeowners and visitors alike love to use.