SKALWEST CONSTRUCTION
ADU Design Services Pasadena
Custom ADU design & architectural plans
ADU Design That Respects the Character of Your Pasadena Property
A new residence can feel contemporary and functional while still belonging to an established home and landscape. We consider the primary residence, garden, privacy, access and architectural character as connected parts of the design.
Home, Garden & Placement
The ADU location is studied in relation to the existing residence, mature landscape, pathways and outdoor areas so the new structure strengthens rather than fragments the property.
Privacy & Natural Light
Room orientation and glazing can provide a comfortable sense of separation while allowing daylight and garden views to become part of the interior experience.
Architecture With Continuity
Roof forms, proportions, materials and openings can respond to the existing Pasadena residence without requiring the ADU to become an exact architectural copy.
Developing the Design From Property Relationships to Architectural Detail
The design package coordinates site planning, interior organization, exterior architecture and three-dimensional studies so the proposed ADU can be understood as a complete addition to the property.
Site Planning & Property Context
Site drawings establish the proposed ADU location and its relationship to the primary residence, landscape, access and important outdoor areas.
Floor Plans & Interior Relationships
Floor plans develop room dimensions, circulation, storage, openings and furniture relationships to create a comfortable residence with an efficient internal organization.
Exterior Elevations & Character
Elevation drawings refine roof form, exterior materials, proportions, windows and doors to establish the architectural expression of the ADU.
Sections & Architectural Details
Building sections and selected details clarify interior heights, roof relationships and vertical conditions that contribute to the overall design.
3D Modeling & Design Studies
Three-dimensional studies help evaluate massing, materials, openings and how the proposed ADU will relate visually to the existing Pasadena residence and garden setting.
Architectural Drawing Coordination
The architectural package can be coordinated with consultant information and supporting project documentation as the design advances toward later project phases.
From Existing Property Character to a Carefully Resolved ADU
The design begins by understanding the home and landscape already in place, then develops building placement, interior planning and architectural character into one coordinated response.
Home & Property Study
We review the existing residence, garden, outdoor areas, access, privacy and intended use to identify the qualities the ADU should respond to.
Placement & Spatial Concept
Building orientation, footprint, entrances, room relationships and outdoor connections are developed into an initial property-wide design strategy.
Architectural Refinement
Floor plans, massing, roof form, openings, materials and exterior details are refined together so the new residence feels cohesive.
Coordinated ADU Plans
The selected direction advances into architectural drawings that communicate the design clearly for the next stage of the project.
With Respect for What Exists
A Pasadena ADU can feel contemporary without ignoring the character already present on the property. Scale, materials, landscape and architectural proportion can help the new residence feel like a thoughtful continuation rather than an unrelated addition.
Architectural Character Inspired by the Existing Home and Garden
Pasadena properties can support a wide range of architectural directions. The ADU can closely complement the primary residence or reinterpret its proportions and materials with a more restrained contemporary language.
Craftsman
Expressive rooflines, deep eaves, warm materials and carefully scaled details can create an ADU with a grounded and established residential character.
Spanish & Mediterranean
Stucco surfaces, tile roofing, arches and restrained detailing can create a warm architectural relationship with Spanish and Mediterranean-inspired homes.
Mid-Century Modern
Horizontal forms, broad glazing, warm finishes and strong garden relationships can create an ADU influenced by California modernist architecture.
Modern
Clean geometry, restrained materials and carefully composed openings can introduce a modern architectural expression while remaining sensitive to the scale of the existing property.
Traditional
Familiar roof forms, balanced elevations and carefully scaled exterior details can create a secondary residence with a timeless and composed architectural character.
Transitional
Traditional proportions can be paired with simplified details and updated materials to create architecture that feels established while remaining distinctly current.
The architectural direction can respond to the existing Pasadena residence, mature landscape and the degree of continuity or contrast you want the new ADU to create.
Adding a New Residence Without Losing the Character of the Property
The best location for an ADU is not determined by footprint alone. Existing trees, gardens, privacy, circulation and the relationship to the primary residence can all help shape a more thoughtful architectural response.
Mature Landscape & Garden Space
Existing trees, planting and outdoor rooms can become part of the design strategy, helping the ADU feel integrated with the landscape while preserving the qualities already established on the property.
Privacy Between Residences
Building orientation, glazing and landscape can reduce direct sightlines while giving both residences access to daylight and meaningful exterior space.
Old & New Architectural Balance
The ADU can acknowledge the scale, materials and proportions of the existing home while introducing cleaner details that make the new residence feel deliberate rather than imitative.
While Adding Something New
A thoughtfully designed Pasadena ADU can expand the way a property is used without diminishing what already makes it distinctive. Architecture, garden, privacy and proportion can allow the new residence to feel contemporary, useful and naturally connected to its setting.
Request a Property Review & Preliminary ADU Design Direction
Submit the form below to share your Pasadena property and project goals. We’ll consider the existing residence, landscape, privacy and potential ADU design opportunities before getting in touch to discuss an initial architectural direction.
