About this build.
This detached accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in Oakland, in Alameda County, California, is a compact 351-square-foot studio with one bathroom, built by Burton Builders in 2023. Set on a narrow urban-infill lot, it makes up for a small footprint by building up: a tall, light-filled main room opens to a sleeping-and-storage loft reached by a custom wood ship’s-ladder stair, adding flexible square footage above the living space. Rooftop solar and a blush stucco exterior with a deep crimson Craftsman front door give the little home real presence on its lot.
Inside, light oak floors and double-height white walls are layered with bold pops of color — emerald-green and burnt-orange accent walls — for a playful, personal feel. The galley kitchen pairs white shaker cabinetry and a black countertop with distinctive tree-bracket open shelving, an induction cooktop, and stainless appliances. Skylights and a band of clerestory windows pour daylight into the tall central volume, while the lofted layout makes 351 square feet live much larger than it sounds.
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