The ADU Switch

Usually, ADUs are known as backyard homes or cottages or secondary dwelling units. Here, the ADU had to be constructed in the front of the site because of existing site challenges, including heritage trees, environmental conditions, and City of Austin regulations.

With these challenges in mind, the site plan had to altered - the existing dwelling unit was remodeled to the studs, a certificate of occupancy was obtained, allowing the existing dwelling unit to constitute a habitable ‘additional dwelling unit’ on the future project completion date.

The City of Austin was on board, allowing the project to move forward and for the construction of the ‘primary home’ in the ‘backyard’.