Garden Studio

Located on a narrow urban site in Oakland, California, this accessory dwelling unit makes the most of its small footprint. The daily office is placed on one end of the studio and the occasional guest bedroom is on the other. Between the two, partition walls with custom millwork act as central organizing elements, creating ample bookshelves, closet space, and a built-in desk. The deceptively simple gesture amplifies the studio’s functionality, while reducing visual and psychic clutter.

Plywood cladding unifies the geometries of the interior, and a full-height curtain easily divides the space when needed. Light fills the room through tall clerestory windows that reach above the neighbor's fence without sacrificing privacy. A large sliding glass door opens onto a low-lying wood deck and a drought-tolerant garden at the front of the unit. Plywood detailing and corrugated metal shed roof bring a thoughtful, contemporary aesthetic to off-the-shelf construction.