When building an ADU in the backyard of her 1906 Victorian in Northeast Portland, Grey Shaeffer of Willa.work had a very specific tenant in mind: her mother. As such, accessibility was a priority for the project. The ADU was designed as a single level with a walk-in shower, and Shaeffer made sure to make space for a dishwasher and washer/dryer, despite the small footprint.
The project was also an opportunity to use materials that the architect had her eye on, but hadn't been able to use in other projects. "They were materials that I loved and I was excited to have a project that was the right scale to use them affordably," says Shaeffer. The architect used plenty of natural elements, such as locally made end grain Douglas Fir flooring, bamboo siding, and a green roof.
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Shaeffer kept the interiors simple, incorporating color and texture with art and textiles. "I didn't want to overwhelm the house by adding in more furniture," she says. For the furnishings, she went for vintage and midcentury-style pieces, including Arne Jacobsen wall lights and a Paul McCobb desk.
The serene space may only be 360 square feet but it has everything Shaeffer's mother needs — and you can't beat the location.
