When a young family in Clayton approached us about reimagining the disused workshop and gym in their backyard, we immediately saw the potential to create something truly transformative. Their goal was to maximize the value of their property, provide flexible living space for extended family or rental income, and do it all while maintaining privacy and accessibility. From these needs, the Clayton Backyard ADU was born.

This house sat on the market for 3 months in the midst of the frenetic pandemic housing boom. It had nuisance existing tenants in the...