LA family turns unused garage into small home Oasis (before/after)

Тәжірибелік нұсқаулар және стиль

They were running out of space in their two-bedroom bungalow for a family of four, a home office, and frequent family visitors, so Gennifer Leong-Alvarado and Pastor Alvarado decided to copy their neighbors who had recently torn down their 1-car garage to replace it with an open-plan backyard home and garden oasis.
They called on Rebecca Rudolph and Catherine Johnson of Design, Bitches - the same architects who had made over their neighbors' yard - and soon their tiny garage and cement driveway were being torn apart to make way for a spacious ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) and a backyard they would really use.
Gennifer explains, “I never went behind my garage ever because it was kind of like a dead zone.” Rebecca says this is common. “What we've figured out over time is that people will go 10 feet out from their living space, so if we'd just converted the garage, they would have stayed in this section of the yard, so by putting it in the back, they'll use the whole thing."
Today, in the former “dead zone” sits their backyard cottage that serves as Pastor’s office, as well as a home for their parents (who are frequent visitors). Their old, cement driveway is now a grass soccer field used constantly by their 10-year-old. And now, all the space between their home and the tiny home is used; there's a swimming pool, a fire pit, a covered outdoor dining area, a hammock and a boardwalk that connects the two spaces and gives the space a vacation-type feel.
The plans for Design, Bitches' Midnight ADU has been implemented by the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) as part of their Standard Plan Program so any other city residents can use the design to save on approval process fees. designbitches.com/adu-standar...
Design, Bitches (architecture studio): designbitches.com/
On *faircompanies: faircompanies.com/videos/la-f...

Пікірлер: 319

  • @diannshoemaker6419
    @diannshoemaker6419 Жыл бұрын

    Natural greenery makes EVERYTHING DIFFERENT. BETTER. It is ALWAYS the BEST VIEW...NO bricks, concrete, steel can possibly compete.

  • @SoCalFreelance
    @SoCalFreelance Жыл бұрын

    A backyard dock, that was a great way to describe it.

  • @junyc85
    @junyc85 Жыл бұрын

    The architect and the homeowner's voices were near identical. Impossible to tell the voices apart unless looking at the screen. Beautiful home.

  • @kimfrankwatson4688

    @kimfrankwatson4688

    Жыл бұрын

    totallly

  • @luckybearsoap
    @luckybearsoap Жыл бұрын

    Exterior door directly into the shower is genius! Definitely using that design in the future!

  • @christineboone2850
    @christineboone2850 Жыл бұрын

    This is the very best ADU I’ve ever seen! The backyard design is equally excellent, and the boardwalk is brilliant. This is all beautiful and so functional!!

  • @walterwine

    @walterwine

    Жыл бұрын

    What is ADU?

  • @aldossnow3703

    @aldossnow3703

    Жыл бұрын

    You obviously haven’t seen many

  • @terrylee8333

    @terrylee8333

    Жыл бұрын

    yeah and the average person can build it lol ahahahahah

  • @christineboone2850

    @christineboone2850

    Жыл бұрын

    @@walterwine An ADU is an Additional Dwelling Unit.

  • @jackstrubbe7608

    @jackstrubbe7608

    7 ай бұрын

    ​@@walterwineAccessory Dwelling Unit

  • @JEK
    @JEK Жыл бұрын

    Rad, perfect sized pool, some fun summer vibes. Waking up out of my bed and walking out to take a plunge is my dream. Some edible gardening would be groovy. Love the ornamental grasses, DG and boardwalk.

  • @tpolerex7282
    @tpolerex7282 Жыл бұрын

    As a designer of several ADU’s, conversions and new builds, also in SoCa this is a wonderful composition of indoor outdoor living, materials and relationships between all the spaces. Well done!

  • @ernestinasanchez5305
    @ernestinasanchez5305 Жыл бұрын

    Fantastic idea and built. Love, not only the back house but the entire backyard remodel. Beautiful patio & pool areas. The storage areas next to the main house are additionally great ideas. Thank YOU! for this wonderful video.

  • @terrylee8333

    @terrylee8333

    Жыл бұрын

    yeah if you have 750000.00 dollar not including the land lol .

  • @wanderingeye7724
    @wanderingeye7724 Жыл бұрын

    Perfect for guests, a bit of privacy, change of scenery and especially work from home! I would love to have a separate place where my mindset could fully switch between Work and Off the Clock. As it is now, even though I have a nice home office, it's hard to separate the distractions on the clock and then off work I'm using the same location for entertainment. That is a great solution.

  • @nebulight
    @nebulight Жыл бұрын

    This is one of the best ADUs I’ve seen. Very well thought out in terms of usable space not only in the adu but outside. Great job!!

  • @bluebox2000

    @bluebox2000

    Жыл бұрын

    ADUs are meant to increase housing units which helps check rent rates. In this particular case, they really just built an addition to their house. I'm hoping if there are tax incentives for ADUs, that those incentives only happen when the units are actually being used as an additional separate housing unit.

  • @highvibe4839
    @highvibe4839 Жыл бұрын

    I’m in Australia, I built a house many years ago with a door from pool and yard directly into Bathroom, I’m not alone in this, because of our warmer climate it’s so suitable, as the owner of this lovely home mentioned. Well done on catering for all of your family, young and not so young! ❤

  • @patriciasalem3606
    @patriciasalem3606 Жыл бұрын

    So tranquil and yet practical too. I absolutely LOVE that boardwalk. It reminds me of all my favorite waterside places. Beautifully executed.

  • @littlenest
    @littlenest Жыл бұрын

    This is such a beautiful hidden gem, its like an oasis in an urban desert! ❤

  • @buenavidaestates-livingthe6333
    @buenavidaestates-livingthe63336 ай бұрын

    Amazing job! I miss my old craftsman in San Pedro but it was a much narrower lot! Hope you enjoy it for decades to come! ;)

  • @christinaaxavier8105
    @christinaaxavier8105 Жыл бұрын

    I love the layout and the ambiance that you have created in your tiny home.

  • @mikealbrecht3990
    @mikealbrecht3990 Жыл бұрын

    I subscribe to several KZread channels. This is one of the few that I look forward to watching new episodes every week. The diversity of location and design, along and creativity of the home owners is inspiring. Thank you for the high production quality and thoughtful interviews.

  • @jeannesutter4951
    @jeannesutter4951 Жыл бұрын

    The ADU was so thoughtfully designed. It works well for their young family but also thoughtfully accessible for aging parents. Love it.

  • @dk-ct6rw
    @dk-ct6rw Жыл бұрын

    Beautiful layout. It just looks so peaceful. I love it. I had to re-watch.

  • @scubatrucker6806
    @scubatrucker6806 Жыл бұрын

    Great design idea. Years ago I've did a drawing like this and shes right you never use the back of the property unless you design something like this it gives you a purpose to the back of your property. Better use of your lot.❤❤❤❤❤

  • @MC-dk7tr
    @MC-dk7tr Жыл бұрын

    Very cool! I live down the street from this house and admire it from the street on my walks. Didn’t realize how large their back space is! Many Atwater Village homes have ADUs, which is cool but this one is amazing!

  • @pamelahall361
    @pamelahall361 Жыл бұрын

    Beautiful home, fully functional and outdoor back garden is so awesome with that lovely swimming pool. I love the transformation. Well done! 👍🏾

  • @AllPhillyinATX
    @AllPhillyinATX Жыл бұрын

    Inspiring. So well executed. Outdoor/courtyard area is an oasis.

  • @Trenchant468
    @Trenchant468 Жыл бұрын

    Love it! I so wish ADUs were permitted in my city. I have an old one car garage and picture putting a glass garage door on the front, skylights in the roof, and chopping down the window opening to make an interior door to an addition with a wall of windows on it. Would 100% live there myself, and continue renting all of my 3 unit property to others.

  • @mikecohen2400

    @mikecohen2400

    Жыл бұрын

    Talk to your city, you have the right idea, the multi unit for your tenants, and the back house for you, might do it as an office/living space, with a bath, and kitchenette and see what the city says.

  • @woohoo59

    @woohoo59

    Жыл бұрын

    If you live in California then you’re allowed. The ADU law is a state law, not municipal. All cities are required to comply although some will attempt to fight it.

  • @Trenchant468

    @Trenchant468

    Жыл бұрын

    @@mikecohen2400 Indoor/Outdoor Dance Studio! So far the city has only recently approved owner-occupied historic designated properties to add ADU. The premise is proper maintenance and restoration is unaffordable unless there is rent to offset it. Otherwise, no. :(

  • @thesimpleminimalist
    @thesimpleminimalist Жыл бұрын

    Omg I love this!! I live in the Midwest and we only use our small 1 car garage for unnecessary storage. We have a port next to the garage. This is so awesome to get additional space to our smalI home. I can't wait to do this to ours in the future. Never thought to do this until now! Thanks for sharing! I am inspired!

  • @harvard004
    @harvard004 Жыл бұрын

    The ADU is super cool and smartly built. Bravo to the designers!

  • @Bondebillforlife
    @Bondebillforlife Жыл бұрын

    A swimming pool, fire pit, and dining spot, A hammock to relax, and a boardwalk to trot, All between the home and tiny house retreat, A vacation space, both cozy and neat. From a crowded bungalow to a backyard bliss, Their solution was simple, but hard to miss, With creativity and design, they found their way, And made their backyard a place to stay.

  • @jillwolters6956

    @jillwolters6956

    Жыл бұрын

    Very nice. High-five!

  • @Alex_Plante
    @Alex_Plante Жыл бұрын

    I was thinking this would only work in California's climate, then this made me think of the layout of Roman houses around an atrium, which is the opposite to how most North American and northern European houses are laid out, with a self-contained house in the middle of the lot, and surrounded by open land. In ancient Rome, and I believe in North Africa today, the house surrounds an enclosed open space, and it seems to me that when you build a second house at the back of the lot your are recreating the Roman atrium. I just looked it up, in North Africa they are called riads

  • @ichifish

    @ichifish

    Жыл бұрын

    Yes, atriums (interior yards) are beautiful designs, and replicated in many ways around the world. We have them in traditional and some modern homes here in Japan. As in Rome the primary function is to provide a private, quiet, outdoor space in an urban setting. Unfortunately in a wet, cool climate the true roman-style atrium I've always wanted is either prohibitively expensive or preposterously small.

  • @Avar1n1us

    @Avar1n1us

    Жыл бұрын

    We have them too in Germany in the Countryside. Its called "Vierseithof" wich kinda means "Foursided Building" or 4 Buildings in one. One was naturally for living. One were Workshops. One for maschinery and the last for the Animals. The bigger the "Vierseithof" the better the Land. Because better Land needs bigger Buildings and are more prosperous.

  • @chrism9294

    @chrism9294

    Жыл бұрын

    When I was looking for a home years ago in Southern California I came across a home that had an atrium. It was one of my favorite homes. It was a big house on a good sized lot because a lot of homes here don’t have the lot size to accommodate an atrium without seriously sacrificing indoor living space.

  • @sigmundgroth6452

    @sigmundgroth6452

    Жыл бұрын

    Houses in Southern Spain also are built around a large Patio and some of them also have a smaller "second Patio"; Casas Cordobesas and Casas Sevillanas, and it's also very common in Colonial Mexican Casas.

  • @echospage

    @echospage

    Жыл бұрын

    @@sigmundgroth6452 Hacienda EU Spain

  • @menace3507
    @menace3507 Жыл бұрын

    Absolutely love this home. Such a simple concept and more thoughtful use of space/property. I love the multi-use guest house concept, I personally would do some things differently but there’s very little to complain about with how this family went about it. Very inspired.

  • @martywilsonlife
    @martywilsonlife Жыл бұрын

    This channel has, in a startling fashion, changed my life. The delightful variation of individuals highlighted with such varied focuses has led me to rethink how I live my life. Noting the similarities of stories helps me recognize the overarching principles to guide my life. 'Eternally grateful for all you do.

  • @slortie4075
    @slortie4075 Жыл бұрын

    This is such a beautiful space -both the indoor and outdoor design. Great video and narration.

  • @321rydell
    @321rydell Жыл бұрын

    I love plywood, concrete, metal, ...reminds me of modern 1950s or 60s. They expended lots of money to make this transformation but my Lord I love it!! This video gives lots of ideas for my current patio layout.

  • @Writer10389
    @Writer10389 Жыл бұрын

    Paradise! 😍 I absolutely adore everything they did, especially the xeriscaping!! A+

  • @cuongtruong6043
    @cuongtruong6043 Жыл бұрын

    nicely designed and well thought out. not over the top, but offers everything a family needs.

  • @craig_ramjet990
    @craig_ramjet990 Жыл бұрын

    You could almost call the boardwalk a pier with all the sand and water surrounding it. That was the first word that came to mind when I saw this very unique property. Well done on the design.

  • @ifinicle
    @ifinicle Жыл бұрын

    Here in CA we spend most of our time outside and in LA, it's soooo crowded, so a lot like this with this much space is a gold-mine, since it's difficult to even find a sliver of grass to take your dog outside (in most city areas). A lot of engineers and designers in So Cal really understand the need for transitional indoor-outdoor areas, since our outdoor spaces are literally an extension of our homes since sq footage is EXPENSIVE. I love this entire set up. Very neat. Thank you for sharing.

  • @garliclasagna
    @garliclasagna Жыл бұрын

    Kirsten! thank you so much for your channel.. you continue to blow minds with your interviews of interesting and boundary pushing people.. .Love and respect from Mexico City

  • @briankuhl9314
    @briankuhl9314 Жыл бұрын

    I love how this channel features all "lived experiences". This is a broadly appealing urban space, that could be featured on a mainstream reality reno show of fairly typical nuclear family. Yet it features many of the same themes we see in rural off grid videos, and design built spaces. Simple materials used aesthetically. Using the space you have efficiently. Repurposing a 100+ year old structure to fit multipurpose current living patterns. The door to the bathroom off the pool space is pure genius. Those that watch this channel for escapist visions of minimalism might comment "boring", but for me it is part of the thread that brings binds your message into one narrative, applicable to any cultural context, economic or social situation.

  • @narvarealestate1424
    @narvarealestate142411 ай бұрын

    Simple, yet so well put together. Love the backyard and how ADU and the home are tied together with the boardwalk. Thank you for sharing this.

  • @hangingwithjen
    @hangingwithjen Жыл бұрын

    Catherine Johnson is a mastermind! Such a great design and use of space. So multi functional and I love all the different zones between the main house, yard spaces and the ADU. It's brilliant! (She also looks like my high school friend named CARA!) ;)

  • @Tradewindsvintagehi
    @Tradewindsvintagehi Жыл бұрын

    This is my favorite ADu ever!

  • @ryannatividad3137
    @ryannatividad3137 Жыл бұрын

    Love the flexibility of the this ADU. So much flexibility for their future, as well as any future owners/renters. It really has an outdoor room, atrium, courtyard feel. When they show the neighboring houses, so many of them also have some sort of ADU as well

  • @caveatlector1591
    @caveatlector1591 Жыл бұрын

    This looks perfect. Functional, pretty, and small house with huge space for anything

  • @panchang810
    @panchang810 Жыл бұрын

    Atwater is a nice area here in CA. And yes they did great with their unused garage and backyard.

  • @elwood212
    @elwood212 Жыл бұрын

    This is a typicalAussie Qld reno esp the yard. I LOVE that yr flipping the bird re pool fencing…these laws are such BS. Great space.💕

  • @xGRASHOPAx
    @xGRASHOPAx Жыл бұрын

    wow I wish my brother would build a ADU in his backyard like this. Beautiful

  • @TruthQuest4700
    @TruthQuest4700 Жыл бұрын

    This design exhibits such a calming integration between indoor and outdoor spaces! I like the use of the exposed joists above the queen bed generating a more intimate space without closing off the volume. Beautiful!

  • @quaddog07
    @quaddog07 Жыл бұрын

    A lot of excellent ideas have been incorporated into this ADU build. We converted our shop into an ADU and rent it out to a friend. Well done you guys

  • @stacky512a
    @stacky512a Жыл бұрын

    Brilliant. Certainly benefits from the mature trees

  • @TheFlush1980
    @TheFlush1980 Жыл бұрын

    Beautiful landscaping, that garden looks so relaxing and serene

  • @disconnectpub
    @disconnectpub18 күн бұрын

    So well done. Beautiful

  • @bigbandguru
    @bigbandguru Жыл бұрын

    Sent this to my daughter and her husband in Tarzana giving them an idea of what can be done with a fixer upper.

  • @paulapeeler3157
    @paulapeeler3157 Жыл бұрын

    Now this is absolutely wonderful... Completely thought through. I love it!!! I love that you designed your space for how you live, not the tradition of a home..Smart!

  • @marcothehammer
    @marcothehammer Жыл бұрын

    Fantastic build! I thoroughly enjoy the warmth the bare plywood interior walls seem to "exude" in the night time. The simplicity of the polished concrete combine with the "plain" walls to create a very welcoming and restful atmosphere. The exterior door to the shower is really a great idea.

  • @nexusyang4832
    @nexusyang4832 Жыл бұрын

    This house reminds me of my grandmother's house in Taiwan. Difference being the house build build horizontally where as her house is built vertically and different generations livings on the different floors.

  • @musk4mars116
    @musk4mars116 Жыл бұрын

    You rarely see an ADU so well integrated with the outdoor spaces. Very well planned and executed. I wonder how long the permit process was with the city.

  • @melodylyons4631
    @melodylyons4631 Жыл бұрын

    Great content. Great presentations. Love your style.

  • @tonyvargas368
    @tonyvargas368 Жыл бұрын

    This is a fantastic use of space and reimagining of what a backyard could be.

  • @brianemunroe
    @brianemunroe Жыл бұрын

    Really well done! Love the coziness it brings to the backyard.

  • @kailau216
    @kailau216 Жыл бұрын

    love the combination of the gravel with the boardwalk, nice!

  • @bernieflorez7102
    @bernieflorez7102 Жыл бұрын

    Best restroom layout I've ever seen hands down...

  • @jennieskinner3886
    @jennieskinner3886 Жыл бұрын

    The way I wish they rented this spot out 😅🥰 beautifully done!

  • @phylliscraine
    @phylliscraine Жыл бұрын

    Really great design. I was a little surprised the ADU bathroom had a swing door. The house we just built has an en suite bathroom behind the bedroom just like this, we installed a pocket door because it gave us more usable bathroom space than a swing door.

  • @LoveDandD
    @LoveDandD Жыл бұрын

    Beautiful design and peaceful lovely garden! Thanks for sharing.

  • @AM-xv3jx
    @AM-xv3jx Жыл бұрын

    Love your home ❤ especially your beautiful bakyard

  • @user-lh3si8df2v
    @user-lh3si8df2v Жыл бұрын

    멋진 주택입니다. 늘 행복 하시길요()

  • @marcandreyko4251
    @marcandreyko4251 Жыл бұрын

    absolutely stunning. smartly designed, stylish, and so, so well thought out. maybe the best ADU i've ever seen.

  • @robyn3349
    @robyn3349 Жыл бұрын

    Beautiful!

  • @hgordon04
    @hgordon04 Жыл бұрын

    This is absolutely beautiful.

  • @RatedArggg
    @RatedArggg Жыл бұрын

    This is beautiful!! I love the landscaping.

  • @zx5218
    @zx5218 Жыл бұрын

    Outstanding vid as we've come to expect!! Thanks Kristen.

  • @albertafu3971
    @albertafu3971 Жыл бұрын

    Impressive. So amazing

  • @Chereese0808
    @Chereese0808 Жыл бұрын

    Very nice. Love the layout of the outdoors area. Good thinking .

  • @annariav
    @annariav Жыл бұрын

    Thank you for your channel. So much to learn from and be inspired by.

  • @bradleyjohnson452
    @bradleyjohnson452 Жыл бұрын

    very nice design. A pocket door in between the wardrobe and tv would be nice for a little additional privacy

  • @NICOMEEKER
    @NICOMEEKER Жыл бұрын

    Beautiful! I would love an adu like that one day! Great tour! ❤❤❤❤

  • @fishermann1102
    @fishermann1102 Жыл бұрын

    Nice addition and garden! Thank you.

  • @BrendaLee8
    @BrendaLee8 Жыл бұрын

    It’s laid out beautifully

  • @dylanthomasolseadog2803
    @dylanthomasolseadog2803 Жыл бұрын

    Really nice execution and design... awesome look n feel, bingo!

  • @skyeseaborn1170
    @skyeseaborn1170 Жыл бұрын

    Well done! I enjoyed the design very much.

  • @BeeeHonest
    @BeeeHonest Жыл бұрын

    This home is absolutely charming and practical.

  • @lyl3645
    @lyl3645 Жыл бұрын

    The yard is big! Great use of the space.

  • @user-mx4kk5mm1x
    @user-mx4kk5mm1x Жыл бұрын

    Thanks, Kirsten!

  • @northernhemisphere3218
    @northernhemisphere3218 Жыл бұрын

    This is stunning use of the property!

  • @DoranMitchell_Handpan
    @DoranMitchell_Handpan Жыл бұрын

    Love your content my friend. Back yard retreats are an ever-changing labor of love. Ours has been changing for 30 years & will never be done.

  • @williamclark1244
    @williamclark1244 Жыл бұрын

    Beautiful space. Definitely deserves the term 'oasis'.

  • @mrmann64
    @mrmann64 Жыл бұрын

    This is the BEST!👍

  • @mmp495
    @mmp495 Жыл бұрын

    That's gorgeous! I'd rent it out and invest the money.

  • @michellejolly7325
    @michellejolly7325 Жыл бұрын

    Beautifully executed!❤

  • @CharlesGriffith1965
    @CharlesGriffith1965 Жыл бұрын

    What an amazing design... simple but elegant

  • @tinootnoot2725
    @tinootnoot2725 Жыл бұрын

    I love it! Beautiful space

  • @ciscokidfab7595
    @ciscokidfab7595 Жыл бұрын

    The color and material mix is great

  • @robinharris4247
    @robinharris4247 Жыл бұрын

    Outdoor space is amazing!!!

  • @pearlhartney9
    @pearlhartney9 Жыл бұрын

    Lovely! The back yard is gorgeous and the addition has so much future options as well as it being great right now. Love that shower that opens so it can be used for after the pool as well.

  • @kathysalkeldbonilla6541
    @kathysalkeldbonilla6541 Жыл бұрын

    Absolutely lovely!

  • @lauriewarner4848
    @lauriewarner4848 Жыл бұрын

    Love your jump suit.

  • @heidiavera5071
    @heidiavera5071 Жыл бұрын

    Beautiful home yard and organic living

  • @ModernARQ
    @ModernARQ Жыл бұрын

    So beautiful and functional!

  • @archTRENDS
    @archTRENDS Жыл бұрын

    Just beautiful!

  • @bliznuk1
    @bliznuk1 Жыл бұрын

    It's amazing! So comfortable and cute! Love from Ukraine 💖🇺🇦

  • @AM-ei7qk
    @AM-ei7qk Жыл бұрын

    I love this ❤️ Well done

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