A home for your parents. A place of your own. An independent rental. We shape your ADU around the people who will use it and the backyard it will belong to.
For homeowners in North Hollywood and the San Fernando Valley, we begin with the existing house, access, privacy and outdoor space — then develop the layout and architectural character together.
Starting at $10,000 · Design fees
Both paths consider your main home and property. The difference is how much of the layout and architectural direction we develop from the beginning.
Choose a DOT layout as the starting point. Exterior materials, colors and details are typically adapted to complement your main home within the agreed scope.
Collection images show design directions, not a fixed exterior package. Substantial layout or structural changes may require a custom scope.
EXPLORE PRE-DESIGNED LAYOUTSExplore room arrangements, building form, rooflines, openings and materials with greater flexibility. Your ADU can complement the main home or express a distinct character.
Design choices are guided by site conditions, budget, engineering and local requirements.
EXPLORE EXTERIOR DIRECTIONSSix style families, each explored through three building forms and material palettes. Open any image to take a closer look, then choose a direction or bring your own references.
Original concept illustrations, not built projects or permit-ready plans. Style labels overlap; the final design is developed for your property and scope.
Flat rooflines, crisp geometric volumes and generous openings, explored as a pavilion, a two-story home and an L-shaped courtyard.
I LIKE THIS DIRECTIONTerracotta hip roofs, warm stucco and deep arches, from an entry cottage to an Italian-style courtyard and a two-story arcade.
I LIKE THIS DIRECTIONLow rooflines, expressed beams, wood and brick, with clerestory glazing and garden connections in three distinct compositions.
I LIKE THIS DIRECTIONMission-inspired parapets, thick stucco walls, recessed openings and terracotta patios, with distinct entry, porch and courtyard forms.
I LIKE THIS DIRECTIONDeep eaves, exposed rafters and tapered porch supports, expressed through a front-gabled cottage, a side-gabled bungalow and a two-story home.
I LIKE THIS DIRECTIONSimple pitched roofs, vertical siding and timber porches, explored as a compact cottage, an L-shaped home and a two-story gable.
I LIKE THIS DIRECTIONCustom design connects practical decisions with the way a home feels. These are the conversations that shape your project.
TELL US YOUR PRIORITIESWe agree on scope and design priorities before developing the drawings. Timing depends on the property, decisions, consultant coordination and city review.
Share your address, intended use, budget goals and any existing plans. We discuss site conditions and agree on the proposed service scope.
Develop room relationships, the building form and the connection to outdoor space. Review the direction together before moving into detail.
Develop the agreed architectural drawings and coordinate structural, energy and other consultant inputs as required by the project.
Prepare the agreed permit package and support responses to city comments. Approval remains subject to jurisdictional review.
After approval, DOT design clients may add construction consultation or a construction cost review for a one-time fee. View optional add-ons.
Yes. Tell us which qualities you like — a social living room, a compact footprint or a private courtyard. We can discuss whether adapting a pre-designed layout or developing a custom design is the better fit.
Yes, we can discuss those project types. Existing conditions, access, structure and local requirements need to be reviewed before feasibility and scope can be confirmed.
Your proposal identifies the drawing deliverables, design revision scope, consultant coordination and permit support. It also explains how consultant and city fees are handled, so the scope is clear before work begins.
No. Construction consultation and cost review are optional add-ons for DOT design clients. You can ask for details now and decide later; each is priced as a one-time fee for an agreed scope.
Compare pre-designed and custom design fees below. Construction consultation and cost review are optional add-ons for DOT design clients.
Starting at $10,000
A custom layout and architectural direction shaped around your property and priorities. Final design fees depend on project scope and complexity.
DISCUSS A CUSTOM ADUPre-designed: Starting at $7,000 · Custom: Starting at $10,000
Both design options include architectural drawings, structural drawings, Title 24 energy compliance documentation, permit submission and routine Plan Check Corrections. Additional reports, specialized services and City fees are charged separately.
| Pre-designed | Starting at $7,000 A DOT layout with site review and exterior coordination within the agreed scope. |
|---|---|
| Custom | Starting at $10,000 A property-specific layout and architectural direction. |
| Included in both | Both design options include architectural drawings, structural drawings, Title 24 energy compliance documentation, permit submission and routine Plan Check Corrections. |
| Other costs | Additional reports, specialized services and City fees are charged separately. |
Prices are design fees, not construction costs. Collection plans are concept studies, not city-preapproved or permit-ready packages.
One-time add-on fee
For DOT design clients · Contact us for detailsAfter permit approval, we provide ongoing follow-up on construction progress, help interpret the design drawings, and assist with site questions and design adjustments throughout the agreed construction consultation period.
ASK ABOUT THIS DESIGN ADD-ONOne-time add-on fee
For DOT design clients · Contact us for detailsWe review contractor estimates, included work and potential omissions to help you understand your construction budget and compare proposals.
ASK ABOUT THIS DESIGN ADD-ONAvailable only to clients who engage DOT for ADU design; not sold separately. Each optional add-on has a one-time project fee. Scope, service period, follow-up frequency and any site visits are agreed in advance. Contact us for details.
Share your contact details and a short design brief. We use this to discuss feasibility, define the scope and prepare a project-specific quote.
Starting at $10,000 for custom design. Final fee confirmed in your proposal.
