Sky House is a small footprint DADU, only 300sf (15 ft x 20 ft). The small area means it can be built where available lot coverage or buildable area is limited or because you want to preserve green space!
The house is a 2-bedroom, 1-bath with elevated living floor and a bonus sleeping nook and deck. Second floor living spaces provide privacy from direct views from the street or alley, while offering opportunities for longer views over backyard fences. High-gabled ceilings and extended views make the living floor feel more generous.
Additional bonus living spaces are tucked into the gable roof. The plan accommodates a wide variety of lot sizes and shapes by minimizing lot coverage, plan dimensions that fit within most rear setbacks and a corner entry that allows the plan to be rotated and flipped to meet setback and entry requirements. Two design options, with and without the roof deck, are provided to accommodate the maximum height allowed on 30+ and 50+ wide lots.
The iconic gable form is simultaneously traditional and modern. Whether clad in cedar shake, fiber cement lap, or corrugated metal, the simple form allows the DADU to adapt to any number of neighborhood context or styles.
To promote passive green building techniques, the pitched roof is the optimal angle for fixed, year around solar panels. Interior climate is controlled whenever possible with operable windows. Elevated windows and skylights allow summer heat to escape and create an upward stack-effect. Skylights reduce reliance on interior lighting. Passive techniques are supplemented by a high efficiency mini-split ac/heating system and high efficiency electric water heater.
The house is designed to lower costs through small footprint, standard construction techniques and standard parts. Although the volume will make this DADU inherently more expensive than a smaller plan, the small, 300 sf footprint, will limit costly ground and foundation work. It’s also designed to be constructible using standard wood framing and siding practices. Window sizes were selected to match off-the-shelf window products from the local hardware stores to minimize custom parts.
Materials! Here are a few ideas for inspiration:
How to permit your DADU:
If you’re interested in permitting one of Seattle Standard Plans, you will need to submit a site plan showing where the project will be built and how it conforms with the required land use codes. This includes information on maximum lot coverage, setbacks, door and deck orientations. We can help you determine where the DADU might fit best on your site and create these required drawings.
SDCI Standard Plans:
SkyHouse was one of ten submissions selected by the City of Seattle to be permitted as a Standard DADU Plan, available in August 2020. A standard plan is pre-approved by for building code and land use code by the city of Seattle, which will add predictability and reduce the time it takes to receive a permit.
Contact us at hello@yesarchitecture.us to talk more about adding a DADU at your house.