I’m always looking for design-savvy ideas to maximize the space of my small house. Pocket doors, vertical shelving, and ultra-high storage are just a few of the stylish efficiencies that I discovered at “Casa Pequeña,” an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) located in Santa Barbara’s Eastside neighborhood. I walked through the home, admiring the designers’ techniques while considering how I could incorporate them myself.
Built on a typical-sized lot, Casa Pequeña is a combination artist studio and guest quarters that was built to replace an older single-car garage. The new construction blends harmoniously into the existing gardens on the property and matches the style and character of the main house. It is also a glowing example of how housing can be added locally without compromising the character of existing neighborhoods.
Casa Pequeña is one of six properties that will be featured in the upcoming ArchitecTours, a virtual event being presented by the American Institute of Architects’ Santa Barbara chapter on Saturday, October 2.