In a time when a large portion of our population is aging and the costs of senior care are climbing, families are facing an evolving set of challenges. For many, the thought of maintaining close ties while ensuring quality care is a financial and logistical hurdle.
An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) project in Sacramento, Calif.’s historic North Oak Park neighborhood was born at this very crossroads. The ADU began as a 600-square-foot detached two-car garage but was transformed with the idea of not only housing but embracing the client’s elderly mother. The project transformed the underutilized space into a home that would ensure comfort, dignity and autonomy—just steps from the family’s primary home.
From the outset, this project embraced universal design principles that place accessibility and the client’s mother’s needs at the heart of every design decision. Specific design features were carefully selected to meet the mother’s physical needs while keeping a potential future occupant’s comfort in mind.
An Eclectic Aesthetic
The ADU’s creation was driven by necessity but crafted with sensitivity and intent. The client, who was facing the high costs and emotional strain of housing her mother in an assisted-care facility, envisioned a place where her mother, struggling with Alzheimer’s and mobility issues, could find safety and closeness to her loved ones. With the ADU’s proximity to the main house, it not only offers connection and independence, but also was designed with a long-term vision: The ADU may one day serve as a rental, adding value to the family’s property.
Sacramento’s North Oak Park is a vibrant blend of historic homes and modern diversity. In this setting, the ADU needed to respect the character of its surroundings yet stand as its own, unique sanctuary. Instead of replicating the Craftsman charm of the main house, the design team had the intent of honoring existing elements of the old garage while incorporating contemporary and industrial themes, creating an eclectic aesthetic rooted in heritage.
Elements, like exposed steel columns that hold up the existing ceiling beam and custom steel-trimmed windows, add a modern twist. The new steel columns were used as support for a screen composed of original double-hung Craftsman windows removed during an upgrade to the main house. The constructed screen delineates between the entry and living space while providing visibility and maintaining the openness of the small space.
Light became an essential part of the design, particularly in private spaces. Glass bricks were installed in the bedroom and wrap the bathroom’s corner to fill the rooms with natural light while maintaining privacy through their abstraction. At night, these glass bricks refract light outward, creating a soft, ambient glow reflecting the activity within these spaces, such as the client helping her mother shower or prepare for bed.
In the bathroom, a curbless shower with a built-in bench and sturdy grab bars were installed. A low-profile entry threshold and a ramp bridging indoor and outdoor spaces create an environment where movement is unimpeded and safety is prioritized. All doorways and passageways were designed with generous clearances for wheelchair accessibility, echoing the ADA standards in spirit and intent.
A Space that Honors the Past
Construction began in a post-COVID environment (December 2021) when the market was plagued by scarcity and rising prices. Resourcefulness became part of the aesthetic and was woven into many aspects of the ADU’s design. In particular, the project embraced upcycling and intentional reuse as a central component of its aesthetic—not as an afterthought but as a fundamental part of its ethos.
The original garage doors were repurposed as fencing flanking the patio wall, a nod to the structure’s past. The columns anchoring the old garage doors are substantial timber pieces salvaged from the garage’s storage and thoughtfully repurposed. A tree that once stood in the corner of the property now is the wooden shower bench that happens to be located in the same corner where the tree once stood, creating a symbolic connection between the old and new—a quiet reflection of life’s cyclical nature.
Large, bifolding glass doors open the ADU to a decomposed granite patio, creating an inviting indoor-outdoor connection. This outdoor space serves as a soft boundary, a retreat that bridges the main house and ADU, where the family can enjoy fresh air and sunshine. Above the ADU’s entry, a bold purple awning contrasts the neutral bumpy stucco, a cheerful splash of color hinting at the vibrancy within.
Inside, storage was thoughtfully integrated to make the most of limited square footage. Custom millwork offers an organized place for daily use, from displaying family heirlooms and photos to concealing daily essentials without disrupting the openness of the floor plan. The millwork also helps delineate functional spaces—a workspace/workstation, a spot for books, nook for watching TV—each area defined, yet harmonized within the whole of its overall layout and design.
Challenges Become Opportunities
From the construction point of view, the project wasn’t without challenges, which is expected when dealing with converting old existing structures. The original garage’s concrete slab was unreinforced and riddled with cracks, and the garage itself was out of plumb. The existing concrete had to be demolished and re-poured under the existing roof and some of the original foundation had to be underpinned because some of the footings needed to be thickened. The entirety of the existing framing after the demolition phase needed to be cranked until plumb and level before the new structural framing was integrated.
Incorporating universal design with thoughtful, intentional repurposing, this ADU represents more than just a living space; it stands as a testament to adaptability, family and respect for the past. While it will always be a place for the family’s mother to age in place with grace, it carries deeper meaning—honoring her presence and the memories rooted in this property. This small structure not only supports a loved one’s journey but also reflects the family’s love, resilience and their commitment to embracing life’s changes together.
PHOTOS: Stefdphoto LLC, Stefan Deliivanov, www.stefdphoto.com, unless otherwise noted
Retrofit Team
Architect, Project Manager and Design Builder: New Work Studios Inc.
Structural Design: NGM Structural Design Services
Structural Steel Fabrication: NTK Fabrication Inc., (707) 363-3931
Materials
Windows: 100 Series Gliding Fibrex Composite Window with SmartSun Low-E4 from Andersen
Bifolding Doors: 144 by 80 Black Aluminum 4 Panel Dual Pane Low E from Whole Doors
Integral Acrylic Stucco Finish: OMEGAFLEX Fine / 9240 Ivory from OMEGA
Glass Brick: Rettangoloare Neutro Vetropieno from Quality Glass Block & Window
Flooring: Bamboo Flooring and Geowood Bamboo from CALI
Roofing: Timberline HDZ Shingles from GAF
Water Resistive Barrier: Jumbo Tex from Henry
Housewrap: Weathermate Plus from DuPont
Bathroom Grab Bars: Model 41824-BL-R from Delta
Shower Transition Threshold: Schluter-RONDEC Bullnose Edge
Linear Drain: Model ZA3-60-T02-BR from Neodrain
Motion-sensor Light Switches: Model DOS02-LW from Leviton
Humidity Sensor Switch for Bathroom Exhaust Fan: Model DHS05-1LW from Leviton
Door Lever Hardware: Contemporary Style Harper Collection from Harney Hardware
