This tiny home built in a Seattle backyard was designed to maximize sunlight in one of the rainiest cities in America — see inside

Kelsey NeubauerAug 1, 2023, 02:22 IST

An ADU in Seattle.Peter Bohler for CAST Architecture

Small backyard homes are becoming increasingly popular in Seattle.
One architecture firm designed a unit specifically for the city's unique climate.

There have been a growing number of small flats, called accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, popping up in backyards in Seattle.

An ADU in a Seattle backyard.Peter Bohler for CAST Architecture

Insider spoke with Matt Hutchins, one of the architects designing these new abodes, to get a sense of what some of these units are like.

An ADU in a Seattle backyard designed by Cast Architecture.Peter Bohler for CAST Architecture

Cast Architecture designed this unit, which is 636 square feet, Hutchins told Insider.

One of the ADUs that have been built in Seattle backyards.Peter Bohler for CAST Architecture

It's one of Cast Architecture's two-bedroom designs, dubbed Cedar Cottage.

Cast architecture designed this unit, which the owners customized.Peter Bohler for CAST Architecture

The siding of the house is Shou Sugi Ban, a type of wood that is treated with heat to make it resistant to water and pests.

Homeowners using this design can also use metal siding, wood siding, and shingles, Hutchins said.Peter Bohler for CAST Architecture

Cast designed the home with these massive windows like the one in the main room of the home, to maximize light that comes in on Seattle's many dreary days.

The kitchen cabinets cost the owners about $10,000, Dwell reported.Peter Bohler for CAST Architecture

The bedrooms are designed to maximize storage space in the tiny home. Hutchins used the high ceilings to include a storage space on top of the closet.

The bedroom also has large windows that maximize light.Peter Bohler for CAST Architecture

There is also an office space in the house.

The owners furnished this room.Peter Bohler for CAST Architecture

The owners customized most of the interior details of the house — like the kitchen cabinets, as well as the interior finishes, which cost them about $10,000, according to Dwell.

The owners designed the living room.Peter Bohler for CAST Architecture

The owners customized most of the interior details of the house — like the kitchen cabinets, as well as the interior finishes, which cost them about $10,000, according to Dwell.

ADUs like this one are popular. In 2022, the city of Seattle issued 1,000 ADU permits to homeowners.

ADUs are popping up in Seattle backyards like these.MarkHatfield/Getty Images

And its likely the total is likely to expand. Earlier this year, Seattle rolled back even more restrictions. Now, units can be up to 1,200 square feet and can be up to 25 feet tall, up from 23 feet before.

The city also axed the parking permit, something that made it impossible for many residents to build ADUs.Sean Pavone/Getty Images

And its likely the total is likely to expand. Earlier this year, Seattle rolled back even more restrictions. Now, units can be up to 1,200 square feet and can be up to 25 feet tall, up from 23 feet before.

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This tiny home built in a Seattle backyard was designed to maximize sunlight in one of the rainiest cities in America &mdash; see inside

There have been a growing number of small flats, called accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, popping up in backyards in Seattle.

Insider spoke with Matt Hutchins, one of the architects designing these new abodes, to get a sense of what some of these units are like.

Cast Architecture designed this unit, which is 636 square feet, Hutchins told Insider.

It's one of Cast Architecture's two-bedroom designs, dubbed Cedar Cottage.

The siding of the house is Shou Sugi Ban, a type of wood that is treated with heat to make it resistant to water and pests.

Cast designed the home with these massive windows like the one in the main room of the home, to maximize light that comes in on Seattle's many dreary days.

The bedrooms are designed to maximize storage space in the tiny home. Hutchins used the high ceilings to include a storage space on top of the closet.

There is also an office space in the house.

The owners customized most of the interior details of the house — like the kitchen cabinets, as well as the interior finishes, which cost them about $10,000, according to Dwell.

ADUs like this one are popular. In 2022, the city of Seattle issued 1,000 ADU permits to homeowners.

And its likely the total is likely to expand. Earlier this year, Seattle rolled back even more restrictions. Now, units can be up to 1,200 square feet and can be up to 25 feet tall, up from 23 feet before.

This tiny home built in a Seattle backyard was designed to maximize sunlight in one of the rainiest cities in America — see inside