Mountain Drive ADU

Positioned under a canopy of live oak trees, a small guesthouse makes a strong statement with simple massing and extensive operable glass walls along a natural flowing creek; distorting the barrier between interior and exterior spaces. When new owners purchased a 1988 residence in Montecito, California originally designed by our firm, they came to us with a program to add a stand-alone guesthouse on the site. Our approach was to maintain the classic modern vernacular of the main home and to also introduce unique elements to set it apart. With the property being flanked on both sides by two environmentally sensitive creeks, we chose to utilize a portion of the existing motor court to locate the guest house and minimize the environmental impact to the site. The design is very simple, yet strong. Surrounded by large oak trees, the north and west elevations are solid walls that face the driveway and motor court, while the south and east elevations are entirely glass that overlook a creek. The 800 square foot guesthouse incudes a covered exterior dining space connected to an indoor living space by sliding open the glass wall. A partial height kitchenette and storage wall separates the living space from the bedroom, and behind the bedroom is a private bathroom and laundry room. Skylights and clearstory windows along the north elevation bring natural light down from the 11-foot ceilings, and an ethanol-burning fireplace provides a comforting warmth to the living space.