The Garage
Santa Cruz, CA
The Garage project is a transformative Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) conversion built within the footprint of an existing detached garage. During the initial phases, a unique hidden roof structure was discovered—constructed from the original concrete board forms used to pour the main house's foundation—which presented a compelling opportunity for historical integration.
To enhance the environmental performance of the compact space, new rammed earth block walls were strategically introduced as thermal mass, facilitating highly efficient passive heating and cooling. A secondary rammed earth wall anchors the living space behind a wood-burning stove, acting both as a spatial separator and a functional thermal battery that absorbs and radiates heat.
This commitment to material conservation also extended to the exterior envelope. Rather than condemning the structure's original old-growth redwood siding to a landfill, the material was carefully salvaged, stripped of its existing paint, and adaptively reused to construct custom cabinet faces—celebrating the inherent history and preciousness of the timber.
