The Rise of ADUs
There has been a quiet but significant shift in our industry since 2017: ADUs are on the rise in California. When the new laws passed that year, there was a subtle gravitation toward exploring the new zoning codes made possible. Residents became curious, cautiously at first, but it was not until the 2020 pandemic that curiosity turned into a common demand. Over the course of two years, we were confined to our homes, and the idea of multigenerational living – especially through the lens of an ADU – became a conversation in nearly every potential client we spoke with.
From Curiosity to Core Design
Once a way to carve out extra living quarters from an existing structure, ADUs have become one of the most intentional parts of our design conversations at C&C Partners. Lately, the lead calls we receive describe their project scope with variations of the same request: “…and add an ADU.” Whether tucked inside a main residence or perched beside a pool in the backyard, ADUs are reshaping how our clients think about space, privacy and their family’s futures.
From parents choosing to live closer to their adult children, to college students returning home who still crave independence, designing an ADU is not simply about shrinking a home program. It is about translating an entire lifestyle into 1,200 square feet or less, without losing the sense of scale and comfort or the architectural integrity that defines a C&C home.
Designing Smarter, Not Smaller
A backyard designed for connection – where the main residence and ADU coexist around a shared backyard and pool. Photo: Shane O’Donnell
One of the most exciting evolutions in ADU design is the hybrid concept: spaces that function for independent living, while simultaneously serving the main residence. We’re designing outdoor-access bathrooms that serve swimmers and backyard gatherings, installing large sliding doors to interact with the backyard if they choose to do so and using the structure itself as a natural screen for mechanical equipment that might otherwise interrupt the view. Essentially, we’re designing and building micro compounds.
Large glass doors and windows frame the view toward the former main residence, now a fully functional ADU, creating a seamless relationship between original and new. Photo: Shane O’Donnell
The same philosophy extends to ADU-scale kitchenettes, bedrooms and transformative living areas. We have learned that smaller does not mean simpler; it means smarter. Every inch needs to have purpose. A single wall of custom cabinetry can hold an entire cooking setup – complete with a fridge, storage drawers, a small oven and an induction cooktop. Even a washer and dryer can be tucked neatly behind a tall integrated cabinet, all while maintaining a design beautiful enough to anchor the entire space. We will even propose incorporating hideaway or Murphy beds to maximize the space during the day. Material continuity is crucial here. Using the same stone as the main home or echoing a cabinet finish helps tie the ADU visually back to its origin.
Designing ADUs for Longevity and Lifestyle
In many ways, ADUs represent more than just additional living space. They reflect a shift in how people want to live post-pandemic, post-fire and post-traditional housing models. Families have strong desires for flexibility. Homeowners want to welcome loved ones back in. Design has become the bridge between practicality and emotion. As a family-focused design-build firm, we understand not only the need but the strong desire for these spaces. This is why we design every ADU to be both functional and future-proof. They transform what could feel like a detached utility structure into a considered part of the home’s rhythm.
The team at C&C Partners. Photo: Yuki Kodo
We balance small-scale architecture with full-scale experience. We borrow cues from the main residence but are not afraid to let the ADU stand alone on its own. Above all, we design for longevity. We opt for materials that weather well, layouts that adapt gracefully and craftsmanship that holds its own. ADUs may be modest in footprint, but they have a large impact on families and communities. They bring families closer and add lasting value to both property and lifestyle. They carry the same care and energy as any of our larger homes. As we continue to design them, we are reminded that good architecture has little to do with size. It is about how a space makes you feel, how it serves you and how it grows with you – whether it is 5,000 square feet or 800.
—Patrick Cunningham AIA is principal of C&C Partners
