In recent years, Accessory Dwelling Units — or ADUs — have emerged as a smart, sustainable, and versatile way to enhance residential properties. With housing shortages and rising costs making homeownership and rental options increasingly difficult to access, ADUs offer a creative solution that benefits both homeowners and communities.
As an architect passionate about creating thoughtful, livable spaces, I’m excited to introduce the Lumen, a detached ADU designed specifically to meet the needs of Washington State homeowners — and to shine as an example of beauty, functionality, and harmony.
Why ADUs?
An ADU is a small, self-contained home located on the same lot as a single-family residence. Sometimes called backyard cottages, granny flats, or carriage houses, ADUs can take the form of detached buildings, converted garages, or even basement apartments.
So why have ADUs become such a valued housing option?
• Flexibility: ADUs are remarkably adaptable. They can house aging parents who wish to stay close to family, provide a comfortable home for grown children, or serve as a private guest suite.
• Rental Income: Many homeowners use their ADUs as a long-term rental to generate passive income, helping offset mortgage costs or supplement retirement.
• Sustainability: Building on an existing property minimizes environmental impact and infrastructure strain compared to new development. Plus, smaller living spaces tend to consume fewer resources.
• Affordability & Accessibility: ADUs contribute to more diverse and affordable housing stock, addressing some of the housing challenges in Washington’s growing communities.
For homeowners, an ADU can transform a backyard into an opportunity — to create connection, generate income, and contribute to the greater good of their neighborhood.
Introducing the Lumen ADU
With these values in mind, I designed the Lumen, a detached ADU that embodies simplicity, efficiency, and warmth — perfect for the unique context of Washington State.
At 1,000 square feet, the Lumen is a two-bedroom, one-bath home with a spacious, light-filled interior. Its clean, modern lines and thoughtful proportions create a home that feels both generous and grounded. Every detail of the design considers the lifestyle and needs of Washington homeowners — from the covered entry to protect from rain, to the expansive windows that bring in natural light even during gray winters.
Some highlights of the Lumen include:
• Two Comfortable Bedrooms: Ideal for a couple, small family, or roommates.
• Open-Concept Living: The kitchen, dining, and living spaces flow together, creating a welcoming heart of the home.
• Natural Light & Connection to Outdoors: Large windows and sliding doors bring the beauty of the outdoors in, and invite residents to enjoy the garden or patio.
• Efficient Footprint: At 1,000 square feet, the Lumen maximizes livability without excess — aligning with sustainable living goals. (954 interior + 42 covered exterior)
The Lumen was also designed to comply with Washington State and City of Bellingham ADU regulations, making it easier for homeowners to move from vision to reality.
A Thoughtful Approach
As an architect based in Washington, I’ve designed homes for over three decades — and one thing I’ve learned is that the best designs don’t just look beautiful on paper - they work beautifully in real life.
The Lumen was created not only to meet the technical requirements of an ADU but to enhance the daily experience of its residents. Every decision — from the roof overhangs to the orientation of windows — was made to harmonize with the climate, the site, and the people who will call it home.
The Lumen is the result of thoughtful design and collaboration. My thanks to Professional Engineer Brandon Hausmann from Alpine Engineering whose expertise and partnership helped create a plan set that is as strong and dependable as it is beauiful.
I named it Lumen, which means “light,” to reflect its bright, welcoming quality and its ability to illuminate opportunities for homeowners.
Bringing the Lumen to Your Backyard
Whether you’re planning for family, seeking supplemental income, or simply want to make better use of your property, the Lumen offers an architect-designed solution that’s ready to go.
You can purchase the full construction plan set for the Lumen at a launch price of $999 — a fraction of the cost of custom design — and feel confident knowing you’re getting a professional, code-compliant design tailored for Washington State.
If you’ve been dreaming about adding an ADU to your property, the Lumen is a way to move forward with clarity, ease, and beauty.
Learn More
I invite you to explore the Lumen and see how it can transform your property and enhance your life.
[Link to learn more and purchase the Lumen plan set ]
If you have questions about whether an ADU is right for your site, feel free to reach out — I’m happy to help guide you through the process.
Here’s to building homes that shine a little more light into the world.