Moon Gate ADU by Cover Architecture

Moon Gate ADU by Cover Architecture presents a sculptural facade challenging conventional notions of an ancillary dwelling.

The compact residence, a mere 620 square feet, is characterised by a sloped partition wall and a large circular opening and offers a tantalising glimpse into the evolving nature of intergenerational living in Los Angeles. Situated at the front of the property, a location necessitated by the nearby ravine, the home presents an intriguing contrast to the existing 1961 ranch-style house. The resulting composition creates a deliberate juxtaposition between the ordinary and the extraordinary, challenging the prosaic nature of its suburban setting. Designed as a future home for the architect’s mother and partner, geometric forms, voids and openings characterise the street facade, driven primarily by programmatic requirements.

Situated at the front of the property, a location necessitated by the nearby ravine, the home presents an intriguing contrast to the existing 1961 ranch-style house.

The sculptural facade serves as a focal point, drawing inspiration more from art than traditional architecture. A complementary storage structure echoes the curvilinear nature of the main building through an arched entry, connecting the two volumes to read as a singular entity. A central pathway leads to the courtyard serving both the ADU (accessory dwelling unit) and the main house, fostering a connection to the outdoors and facilitating intergenerational living while maintaining individuality for the dwellings. The floor plan generously allocates space for essential elements and integrates areas to encourage the occupants to continue their scholarly pursuits.

A raised foundation incorporates stairs and a deck, and an outdoor sitting area is shielded behind a partition wall. The wall provides privacy and visual interest, while the curvature of eaves adjacent invite sunlight into the dwelling. The cheerful geometries of the exterior extend inwards, where a light, natural material palette prevails. Playful yet practical details abound, with Baltic birch plywood joinery throughout the rooms lending a soft tactile experience when paired with light grey Pietra Artica marble detailing in the kitchen and onyx marble in the bathroom vanity. Prioritisation of honest materials extends to the exterior, where a smooth trowel-finished stucco chosen for affordability and availability lends a monolithic quality to the sculptural design.

The sculptural facade serves as a focal point, drawing inspiration more from art than traditional architecture.

In crafting Moon Gate ADU, Cover Architecture has deftly balanced form and function, creating a dwelling that is both visually striking and deeply considerate of its inhabitants’ needs. Its sculptural form and integration with the existing property challenges preconceptions of what an ADU can be. With its striking geometric forms and playful voids, Moon Gate ADU challenges the prosaic nature of its suburban setting, inviting passersby to pause and ponder.

Architecture and interior design by Cover Architecture. Build by Sulgatti General Contractors. Landscape design by Cover Architecture and EEK Studio. Engineering by Everest Engineering.