At first glance, you probably won’t believe that this expansive space is an ADU. The indoor-outdoor masterpiece in Hillsborough, California, sets the bar high for accessory dwelling units with its soaring gables, sophisticated pavilion, and how it seems to frame the pool.
Paul Dyer
A new build, the structure replaced an existing ADU on the property that had a badly damaged foundation. “The primary goal of the ADU was to take advantage of this large and beautiful property, to create a guest house for the in-laws and future use as an ADU,” explains architect Aleck Wilson. “The siting of the project was done to complement the main house and serve as a focal point for the pool. The arrangement of the plan is set up to emphasize a blurred interior and exterior to embrace the open floor plan and a sense of letting the outside into the main space.”
Paul Dyer
The main house is a two-story, five-bedroom Tudor home with a formal layout and modest natural light. Aleck and team used the Tudor style as inspiration, but instead of matching or mimicking the style, they used its materials and scale as a guide.
“We chose shou sugi ban siding as a complement to the dark painted timbers of a classic Tudor,” says Aleck. “The accent stone wall at the back of the pavilion space is complementary to the coloring of the stucco infill of the existing Tudor home. The simple gable forms of the ADU mirrored those of the Tudor main house.”
Paul Dyer
A pavilion was designed to create a framed view over the pool and give shaded poolside space. “The scale of our paired gables comes from the main house, with the Tudor living room on axis of the left gable, creating a landscaped courtyard framed by the two buildings,” Aleck says.
Paul Dyer
The primary space of the ADU is that open pavilion, which features steel bifold doors from Riviera Bronze. It’s a living, dining, and kitchen space, with the kitchen situated in a carved niche at the end of the space. The interior walls and ceilings feature cypress, which has a blond hue that is a contrast to the darker exterior.
Paul Dyer
On the left side of the pavilion is the primary bathroom, which is set up like a cabana bathroom with a separate water closet and showers—both function as changing rooms. The main space of the bathroom features a teak double vanity, a bench, and storage cubbies. Next to the bathroom is a laundry room with drying racks.
Paul Dyer
On the right side of the pavilion is the bedroom space that includes an ensuite office, bathroom, and private view of the garden.
Currently, the ADU is being used as a guest house, exercise room, and pool cabana—and it allows the homeowners’ three teenage sons to have extra space.
Paul Dyer
“Our clients love the new building as a complement to the home,” says Aleck. “They enjoy the richness of the material palette, juxtaposed with the textured porcelain tile we used inside and out for a safe, durable lifestyle. The space lives in an informal casual manner, all supported by the apparent simplicity of the detailing of materials.”
Landscape Architect: Dustin Moore/Strata
Interior Design: Catherine Kwong selected furniture; Aleck Wilson selected finishes
Construction: Moroso
