Laurelhurst DADU

Location: Laurelhurst neighborhood in Seattle, Washington

Design Goals: The owners of this Laurelhurst residence wanted to expand their property by adding a second story above their existing detached garage. The goal is to create a detached accessory dwelling unit (DADU) that offers a separate living space with a one-bedroom unit, open-plan kitchen, living, and dining area. The project also reimagines the natural landscape between the main house and garage, introducing a series of re-graded terraced levels that connect the second story DADU to the backyard. These terraces will provide a seamless transition from the DADU to the yard and also create more usable outdoor space. In addition to improving functionality, the terracing enhances the overall aesthetic of the property by integrating the outdoor landscape with the natural slope, making the yard more inviting and accessible.

Style: Modern Tudor

Design Challenges + Site Constraints: The steep topography of the site presented key challenges in both vertical circulation and spatial connectivity. The design responds with strategic grading and terracing to bridge the significant elevation change, enhance play and recreation areas for the family, and maintain clear access between the primary residence and the new unit—all while fitting within zoning requirements for DADUs in Seattle.

Team:
+ Architect: H2D Architecture + Design