Is an ADU Right For You?

Although an ADU can be built for the sole purpose of obtaining extra income, or housing family members, they can also be used by the inhabitants of the main house. Giulietti/ Schouten designed ADU’s that double as artist studios and event spaces by working artists. Providing a separate and distinct space for an artist is crucial to the artistic process, and having that space next to the residence can increase creativity and productivity.  If you are contemplating building an ADU on your property, but are unsure of renting it out, or have not obtained renters, then using it as a creative outlet, might be a great choice.

            Kristin Fritz is a local artist and client of Giulietti/Schouten. Since she works at home she required a private space in which to create, entertain and display her art. Beyond the functional requirements of a gallery and workspace, she wanted a space with visual and physical connections to the natural environment. The studio is nestled among large fir and cedar trees, but is oriented towards the pristine undeveloped corner of the site. This allows for an abundance of natural light and views to the forested exterior. By using cedar siding and a post and beam aesthetic, the studio’s form and materiality are contextually in line with the existing home, located just across the deck. Now the client has a private, beautiful place to make and display her art, and is able to leave the studio without having to commute home.

            Another approach to a working studio is to transform a garage. This is the case with Tracie Broughton, another artist client. A new garage was created with a studio apartment (ADU) over the garage. The space is utilized as art and music studio, as well as a space to relax away from the rest of the home.

            In the case of client Marika vanAdelsberg, the studio was added after an initial home. She doesn’t have to go far to utilize her kiln or potter’s wheel, as the studio is directly next to the home, designating a specific space for the sole function of making art, which is important to any working artist.

Accessory Dwelling Units

Today we are faced with many factors regarding population and space. Unfortunately as the amount of people continues to grow, the size of our planet does not. Thankfully, Oregon is one state that is taking measures to increase urban density and mitigate suburban sprawl, through the gaining popularity of allowing ADU’s, or Accessory Dwelling Units to be built on sites with an existing “main” residence.

            An Accessory Dwelling Unit can be created on almost any single-family residential lot in any of the 25 cities in the Metro area. It can be attached, such as over a garage, or detached, as in a separate living unit in the same plot as your home. ADU’s are limited to be no greater than 800 square feet, and smaller than the existing house. “Granny flat” or “basement apartment” are also names for ADU’s. An ADU is a great way to help reflect the changing needs of homeowners, especially with the increase of one and two person family units. They can provide added source of income, through renting, as well as allowing the family to be closer, if a grandparent or other family member moves in.

            According to the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), reducing housing size is “the most effective way to reduce both material and energy related impacts of residential homes.” Smaller homes use fewer materials, less energy, create less waste, and increase density within the city. By containing the sprawl of new construction, we can induce more significant change in energy used per capita.

            There are some simple steps to follow if you are considering building an ADU, or are trying to figure out if it is the right decision. Funding, of course is a major factor in any new construction. There are new incentives offered through the Energy Trust of Oregon (ETO), as they have allowed detached ADU’s to qualify for full home incentives. A rebate check of up to 4,000 dollars can be obtained for highly energy efficient homes. Talking to city planners and visiting the planning and zoning staff at the cities Development Services Center is also important, considering you may need an inspection of the existing structure. Acquiring an architect to help with the design and plans is also crucial. Finding a builder as well as various subcontractors is important; plumbing, mechanical, and electrical are three you will definitely need. Providing the city with drawings and subsequently obtaining a permit for construction is the final step before building can begin.

            If you think that building an ADU is the right choice for you and your family there are a few websites that can help you to easily analyze your decision as well as getting started. The following are three specific to the city of Portland. Also on October 26 there is going to be a summit called “Build Small/Live Large: A Market Revival for Single Family Housing.” Builders, developers, designers, and real estate professionals will be discussing many topics including; ADU’s, demographic shifts, financing, incentives, zoning, policy, and small housing trends.

www.accessorydwellings.org

www.deq.state.or.us/lq/sw/wasteprevention/greenbuilding.htm

http://www.portlandonline.com/bds/36676

Mt. Hood Bed and Breakfast

I had the opportunity to attend a wonderful garden birthday party for Jackie Rice, owner of the Mt. Hood Bed and Breakfast. Jackie and her husband Mike run this charming B & B in Parkdale, Oregon. Giulietti/Schouten recently designed a modest addition to the main house that added three new guest bedrooms over the existing garage (see their website for more photos and full level of services). The location and setting of their B & B is picture perfect. If you need a nice weekend getaway, I would encourage you to give them a try. Enjoy! Dave Giulietti www.mthoodbnb.com

Giulietti/Schouten is happy to welcome new hire Sharon Libby to the firm. Coming to us from Ernest R. Munch Architect Urban Planner, Libby brings strong project design and management skills to the office. She earned her Bachelors of Architecture from the University of Oregon in 2004 and spent the next seven years working for Munch. Now she is a part of the Giulietti/Schouten team.

historic home tour

If you are interested in strolling through Lake Oswego and seeing some amazing homes then this event is just for you. The Historic Home Tour celebrates the cities great homes, specifically showcasing the work by architect Richard Sundeleaf. Put on by the Oswego Heritage Council Saturday May 19, it should be fun, sunny, and informative! Click below to learn more.
http://www.oswegoheritage.org/events/hometour.html

A very interesting exhibition will be on display this summer at the
Museum of Contemporary Craft in Portland. “Design with the other 90%: Cities” has many similarities with the MoMa exhibition ““Foreclosed: Rehousing the American Dream”, which we discussed in a previous posting. This exploration delves into many of the same issues surround-ing urban growth, but on a global scale. Like Foreclosed, the issue of housing explored, but many other functional designs are established in third world countries in need of help.
Organized by Cynthia Smith of Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, “Design with the other 90%” focuses on design solutions that address the 90% of the world’s population that are not traditionally serviced by the professional design community. Coming up with interesting design solutions a global network was formed, with information available through an online database. Complex issues and resulting solutions are explored regarding the unprecedented rate of urban growth projected for the next 20 years. The main focus is on the global south and many wonderful design solutions have been made.
The Museum of Contemporary Craft will be hosting the “Cities” portion of this ongoing project, second in a series of exhibitions that demonstrate how design can be a dynamic force in
transforming and saving lives. Cynthia Smith and a ten person advisory committee examined the multi-disciplinary and over-lapping relationships between urban planning and design, education, social entrepreneurship, climate change, sanitation and water, migration, public health, and housing.
To learn more and to view some of the amazing designs that have already been put in place world wide click on the following link. http://www.designother90.org/cities/home

Once again the Architecture Foundation of Oregon (AFO) is putting on its yearly series entitled “2012 Dinner With an Architect.” Giulietti Schouten is excited to host one of the nights, which provides support for the AFO. In the past 14 years, hundreds of hosts, architects, and guests have enjoyed each other’s company in some of Oregon’s most intriguing environments.
This August 4, artists and architects will join together for wonderful drinks and tapas style food at the newly remodeled home and detached art studio of clients and artists Marika Van Adelsberg and Nathan Grant. Forest Park will serve as the backdrop for an evening filled with good conversation, beautiful views of nature, ceramic art from the clients, and personal connection from friends. The home backs up to Balch Creek and drinks and food will be served on the deck.

If you are interested in attending this fun evening, or have any questions call Kate Pope at 503-542-3823. The guest list will be limited to between ten and twelve people, so act now for an exciting and entertaining summer evening!