SKALWEST CONSTRUCTION
ADU Design Services South Pasadena
Custom ADU design & architectural plans
ADU Design Planned Around Your South Pasadena Home and Garden
A new residence can add long-term flexibility while preserving the scale, landscape and residential character already established on the property. We consider the ADU, primary home and outdoor areas as one composition from the beginning.
Placement With Restraint
Building position, circulation and remaining garden areas can be studied together so the ADU adds meaningful living space without making the property feel unnecessarily built up.
Privacy Through Landscape
Existing planting, new garden areas and carefully positioned openings can create separation between residences while preserving natural light and a sense of openness.
Architecture That Belongs
Roof form, materials, proportions and detailing can relate to the existing South Pasadena home without requiring the new residence to copy the original architecture exactly.
Developing the Residence From Property Study to Architectural Detail
The design package coordinates property planning, interior function, exterior character and three-dimensional studies so the ADU can be evaluated as a complete addition to the home and landscape.
Property Planning & ADU Placement
Site drawings establish the proposed residence in relation to the existing home, garden areas, access, circulation and outdoor spaces that remain part of everyday use.
Floor Plans & Interior Living
Interior plans develop room proportions, circulation, storage, furniture relationships and openings so the ADU functions as a comfortable and complete residence.
Exterior Elevations & Building Character
Elevations refine massing, roof form, exterior materials and glazing to create an architectural relationship that feels intentional within the existing property.
Sections & Spatial Proportion
Building sections clarify ceiling heights, roof geometry and vertical relationships that help define the scale and interior quality of the new residence.
3D Modeling & Property Visualization
Three-dimensional studies help evaluate exterior form, materials, openings and the visual relationship between the ADU, primary residence and surrounding landscape.
Architectural Plan 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 Integrated Residence
The design begins with the primary home, garden and intended use, then develops placement, privacy, interior planning and architectural character around the qualities worth preserving.
Home & Garden Review
We study the existing residence, landscape, outdoor spaces, privacy, access and intended use to establish what should guide the new ADU.
Placement & Open-Space Strategy
Building position, pathways, garden relationships and exterior areas are explored together so the property remains comfortable after the second residence is introduced.
Architectural Refinement
Floor plans, roof form, exterior massing, glazing and materials are refined together so the ADU feels complete without becoming visually dominant.
Coordinated ADU Plans
The selected direction advances into architectural drawings that clearly communicate the residence for the next stage of the project.
Keep the Property Balanced
A South Pasadena ADU can introduce a complete new residence without overpowering the original home or garden. Scale, landscape, privacy and proportion can allow the addition to feel established while preserving the qualities that already make the property distinctive.
Architectural Character That Connects Established Homes With New Living
The ADU can closely complement the primary residence or reinterpret familiar forms with cleaner details. Proportion, material quality and landscape relationships help either approach feel cohesive.
Craftsman
Warm materials, expressive roof forms and carefully scaled detailing can create a secondary residence with an established architectural character and strong garden connection.
Spanish & Mediterranean
Stucco surfaces, tile roofing and carefully proportioned openings can create a warm architectural relationship with Mediterranean-inspired primary residences.
California Contemporary
Natural materials, simplified volumes and direct connections to garden space can create contemporary architecture that remains warm and residential.
Mid-Century Modern
Horizontal proportions, warm finishes and broad outdoor relationships can create a relaxed California modern residence.
Traditional
Familiar roof forms, balanced elevations and measured detailing can help the ADU relate naturally to an established residential property.
Transitional
Traditional proportions can be paired with simplified detailing and updated materials to create architecture that feels familiar, refined and current.
The architectural direction can respond to the existing South Pasadena residence, garden setting and the balance of privacy, architectural continuity and outdoor living you want the ADU to create.
Adding Another Residence Without Making the Property Feel Overbuilt
The quality of an ADU is not only determined by what happens inside the building. The garden, privacy, paths and spaces between the residences can determine whether the completed property still feels open, comfortable and intentionally designed.
Preserve Meaningful Garden Space
Building placement can be coordinated with existing planting and outdoor areas so the ADU adds living space without eliminating the portions of the property that support everyday outdoor use.
Privacy Without Hard Separation
Landscape, window orientation and carefully located outdoor areas can give both residences privacy without making the property feel divided into unrelated pieces.
Scale That Respects the Main Home
The ADU can have architectural character of its own while remaining visually secondary through measured massing, roof form and exterior proportions.
Keep the Property Intact
A thoughtfully designed South Pasadena ADU can expand the way a property supports family and everyday life while preserving its architectural identity and garden character. The addition should feel like another considered layer of the home rather than a building placed wherever space happened to remain.
Request a Property Review & Preliminary ADU Design Direction
Submit the form below to share your South Pasadena property and project goals. We’ll consider the existing residence, garden, property organization, privacy and potential ADU design opportunities before getting in touch to discuss an initial architectural direction.
