Austin ADU

This 549-sq.-ft. upstairs ADU is made more spacious with a wide wraparound porch.

By Janice Rohlf Issue 326 - October 2024

Replacing the main house’s carport created the opportunity to build this upstairs Austin, Texas accessory dwelling unit (ADU). Used mainly as a guest house and a writer’s retreat, it offers a quiet sanctuary tucked away in a busy West Austin neighborhood. The space features 549 sq. ft. of conditioned space was efficiently planned to comprise a bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and living area.

Wrapping around the ADU, a generous 350-sq.-ft. porch increases the perceived spaciousness of the building, as do large windows and varying ceiling heights that range from 9 ft. to 15 ft. The exterior features a mix of wood and fiber-cement siding and asphalt shingles on the roof. Interior finishes include post-oak flooring, handmade ceramic tile, stone countertops, and custom millwork wainscoting.

To deal with the challenging terrain—a steep woodland hill, a sloping driveway, and utility lines—the approach to the house is via a winding path up the hill to the porch. Then, a small bridge connecting the path and porch to the house negotiates the difference in terrain and provides an experiential cue of transitioning to a secluded and protected environment cozily furnished with found pieces and family treasures.

Architect

McKinney York Architects

Builder

MG Construction Works

Location

Austin, Texas

Photos

Andrea Calo

— Written and curated by Janice Rohlf

From Fine Homebuilding #326

RELATED STORIES

Fine Homebuilding Recommended Products

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Graphic Guide to Frame Construction

Now in it’s 5th edition, Rob Thallon’s book for builders has been a go-to resource for decades. This book features clear graphics that will help you understand how nearly all American houses are — or should be — built.

Buy at Amazon

The New Carbon Architecture: Building to Cool the Climate

With this book, architect Bruce King changes the conversation around what it means to build a green home. Take everything you thought you knew about the topic, and just set it aside and let Bruce explain why embodied carbon trumps the rest of what is undoubtedly important.

Buy at Amazon

A Field Guide to American Houses

If you want to plan, design, or remodel based on the vast tradition of American architectural styles you first have to understand their history, geography, architectural significance, and relationship to one another. This book can help with that.

Buy at Amazon

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

View All

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers

We found the brightest, best-performing green laser in a head-to-head test of eight popular models.

Featured Video

A Modern California Home Wrapped in Rockwool Insulation for Energy Efficiency and Fire Resistance

The designer and builder of the 2018 Fine Homebuilding House detail why they chose mineral-wool batts and high-density boards for all of their insulation needs.

Discussion Forum

Highlights

Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

View All

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

Fine Homebuilding

Follow

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Membership & Magazine

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Austin ADU

This 549-sq.-ft. upstairs ADU is made more spacious with a wide wraparound porch.

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

More Houses By Design

Up Next