Transforming problem houses into Dream Homes

An Oakland Garage Conversion

An interior view from the main living/sleeping area, looking toward the kitchen and the sliding glass doors.

David Locicero | architect

Completed in 2018

480 square foot garage to ADU conversion

Private Clients

The Problem: The client’s parents were aging and they realized that their parents were likely to need care as they aged. The distance to their parents’ house was too far to make it possible for them to visit on a daily basis. They wanted to make a separate dwelling for their aging parents, that they could rent out for additional income until their parents needed to move closer.

A 3-D massing model of the two existing structures. the smaller building on the left is the existing garage.

The Clients: A busy professional couple. They love spending time in their garden and often entertain family.

The Solution: The existing, free-standing, 2-car garage was not used for parking their cars, nor for any significant storage needs. We converted the garage into a studio style ADU, with an accessible bathroom, a huge walk in closet. We limited changes to the existing structure to those required to upgrade the structure and energy conservation to current standards.

The Results: The main room is big and bright with windows on three sides. The bathroom is luxurious, and the kitchen is sufficient for the needs of the parents’ style of cooking. When the big sliding doors are open, the cottage expands out into the yard making it possible to use the yard for lounging and eating much of the year.

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