Emerald Enclave

Design Portfolio: “Emerald Enclave”

Emerald Enclave is a Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit (DADU) that offered a unique blend of eco-conscious design and style matching. Special considerations included the property’s main home, which was built before the year 1900. In addition, a Japanese maple tree living next to the existing structure that was to be demolished, needed to be saved. Creative solutions and consistent communication lead to the completion of one of our latest, and favorite, projects!

Original Vision: Elegance and Sustainability

Nestled in a serene, picturesque setting, Emerald Enclave offers a unique blend of luxury, comfort, and natural beauty. Designed with meticulous attention to detail, this dream project provides an oasis of tranquility for those seeking an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Emerald Enclave embodies the perfect balance between modern sophistication and eco-conscious living. Our commitment to sustainability is reflected in every aspect of the project, from the use of energy-efficient materials to the incorporation of green energy ideas that promote a harmonious relationship with nature.

Project Narrative

In place of an existing garage, Emerald Enclave is being built as a two-story Detached ADU. The unique nature of the property meant that our designers were able to create an ADU that had to match the Victorian style of the main home. From day one, the client wanted to ensure that we could preserve a Japanese Maple tree nearby, while meeting the needs of their new space. Additionally, design needed to include eco-conscious accessories including an EV charger and installation of solar panels.

With the planned building being right along alley access, a garage door with side entry was added to the first level. Because the client wanted to continue living an active lifestyle, while having storage options, our designers included even more options. Bike storage, creative storage design, bike hangers, and an outdoor shower were added in the later stages of the plans. Wherever things need to be stored, Emerald Enclave provided ample solutions and easy access to everything needed.

Challenges & Solutions

1. Egress Windows

   • Issue: During the design process, the proposed windows for egress were not large enough. This ended up conflicting with the continuous roofline.
   • Solution: In coordination with the stakeholders for this project, a window well was included. Not only did this achieve the necessary window height, but it would maintain the ever-important continuous roofline.

2. Parking Space Constraints

   1. Issue: Due to the loss of the on-site garage, a second parking spot was needed.
   2. Solution: We worked with the local municipality to apply for a parking waiver, providing specific criteria to facilitate it.

3. Solar Panel Integration

   1. Issue: Limited surface area on the roof for solar panels.
   2. Solution: By considering the entire design, alternative locations were considered. One of the main goals of the project was to meet the necessary energy credits to build it. So, the shed dormer and south side of the shed were offered as options.