About this build.
This accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in Berkeley, in Alameda County, California, is a 339-square-foot, one-bedroom, one-bathroom home built by Burton Builders in 2024. The compact home replaced an existing garage on an all-new foundation, on a tight site reached by a narrow side-yard path to the backyard. Clad in light gray shingle siding, it makes the most of a small footprint with abundant glazing — a band of high clerestory windows plus a wall of black-framed multi-panel glass doors that open the living space onto a backyard patio and flood the interior with daylight.
Inside, a vaulted ceiling with a skylight and white-oak floors keep the home feeling bright and airy, with a bank of louvered closets adding generous built-in storage. The galley kitchen runs a crisp black-and-white scheme — black shaker cabinetry with a full-height pantry wall, white quartz counters, and warm walnut floating shelves — paired with an induction cooktop and a compact refrigerator sized for ADU living. A ductless mini-split handles efficient heating and cooling, and a keyless smart lock at the entry rounds out a small, modern home that lives well beyond its square footage.
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