Event Description

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) have a long history of providing flexible, cost-effective, family-oriented housing. Recent regulatory changes in several states make ADUs a viable option to generate rental income, provide housing for family and/or friends, or create flexible live/work space. Accessory Dwelling Unit Design (ADUD) will help you envision and design a backyard cottage, basement apartment, or addition that meets your needs. Participants will virtually tour noteworthy accessory dwellings, spark a dialogue about space-saving strategies, and engage in an imaginative process with interactive design exercises. In the "design studio" particuipants will learn a variety of tools to help you communicate your ideas. Students completing this course will have the skills necessary to continue work on their own ADU projects.

The online course includes the following components:

Real-Time Class: Weekly 2-hour video sessions via zoom to introduce new content and have discussion. Video calls will include inspiration and idea sharing as we explore ADU considerations and the design process. Each session will include show and tell, activities, and discussions.

On Your Own Time Class: Participants will have access to pre-recorded presentations and tutorials which they can review on their own timeframe between sessions. There will be virtual tours of small spaces that will introduce utility considerations and space saving design tricks.

Design Work: In each session, there will be an assignment to complete to move the ADU project forward in your virtual design studio. Participants will do design exercises and bubble diagramming, and learn how to represent your ideas through sketches, massing models, elevations, sections, and floorplans. 

1:1 Session: There will be an opportunity to participate in a 1/2 hour 1:1 session with one of the instructors.

The in-person course includes the following components:

Real-Time Class: There will be class M-F 9AM-4PM to introduce new content and have discussion. We will include inspiration and idea sharing as we explore ADU considerations and the design process. Each session will include show and tell, activities, and discussions so you can share with and learn from your classmates.

Design Work: There will be supported design time with one of the instructors M-Th 4-6 PM. Participants will have a set of assignments to complete to move the ADU project forward in the design studio. Participants will do design exercises and bubble diagramming, and learn how to represent ideas through sketches, massing models, elevations, sections, and floorplans.