Accessory Structures

Accessory dwelling units (ADUs), detached accessory dwelling units (DADUs), and outbuildings can help you make the most of your property.

As a standalone project or as a component of a larger investment in your home or yard, outbuildings and ADUs add specialized functionality in a small package. With in-house, multidisciplinary teams of architects, interior designers, and landscape architects, Board & Vellum has your project covered from all angles.

Whether you’re exploring options for a home office, art studio, guest cottage, custom bike shed, or just a space to relax, we love solving the unique challenges of designing custom DADUs and accessory structures, no matter what type of space you’re hoping to achieve.

When adding density to a neighborhood, DADUs offer an approach to multi-generational living, adding a rental unit, or increasing space to host guests that protects the neighborhood scale. Dubbed ”middle housing,“ this approach is at the forefront of efforts to create more livable cities.

With evolving code requirements, it’s important your design team recognizes the real-life feasibility of your desired accessory structure, understands the evolving legislative and code changes associated with it, and can take on the challenges of a complex permitting process. As a design firm with experience in both the single-family and multifamily sectors, our team has an unparalleled breadth and depth of knowledge about middle housing projects.

Plus, we’re always staying abreast of updates regarding legislation, so you can be confident your project is being considered with the most up-to-date information available.

Though smaller than a new home, pursuing an accessory structure can be deceptively complicated. But they’re often equally personal — they require a careful combination of architecture, site design, and interior design considerations to ensure they are code compliant, suited to your property, and perfect for your desired use.

That makes your ADU, DADU, or other accessory building project a great fit for the multidisciplinary team at Board & Vellum. Our integrated teams of architects, interior designers, and landscape architects are dedicated to your project from the outset, considering it holistically through deeply-rooted collaboration across disciplines.

ADUs, DADUs, and outbuildings are incredibly special projects. A microcosm of custom residential design, accessory structures are complex projects with immense scope for imagination.

Each of the accessory structures in our portfolio is as unique as the client we designed them for. We’ve successfully designed — and shepherded through construction — accessory structures with a variety of program goals while navigating additional complexities, such as environmentally critical areas, sustainability certifications, and highly-individualized spaces that not only feel cohesive with the main home, but blend in seamlessly with the property as a whole.

We revel in creating these highly personal spaces that tell the distinct stories of the individuals who use them. Whether you’re creating additional living space, a home office, a studio, or another dream space, Board & Vellum has the experience and knowledge to tackle your distinct accessory structure, inside and out.

Right from the start, our approach brings together key players, so design, budget, permitting, and construction yield as few surprises as possible. The result is a beautiful and tailor-made space, customized for whatever special use you have in mind.