Richmond Beach Garden AADU
Location: Richmond Beach neighborhood of Shoreline, Washington
Unit Type: Primary Residence, Attached Accessory Dwelling Unit (AADU)
Design Goals: Located in Seattle’s Richmond Beach neighborhood, this daylight basement accessory dwelling unit (ADU) was designed by H2D as a warm and inviting French country-inspired retreat intended for use as a short-term Airbnb rental and guest accommodation. The design balances charm and functionality, creating a comfortable independent living space that feels both refined and relaxed. The two-bedroom, one-bath unit includes a full kitchen, living area, and direct access to a private outdoor patio, allowing guests to extend their living space outdoors and enjoy the quiet residential setting. H2D carefully planned the layout to maximize natural light within the daylight basement condition, incorporating large windows and an open-concept living space that helps the interior feel bright, airy, and connected to the landscape. The French country-inspired finishes and detailing bring warmth and character to the home, with soft textures, timeless materials, and thoughtfully curated touches that create a cozy, welcoming atmosphere. The design emphasizes comfort and livability while maintaining flexibility for both short-term rental use and extended stays by family or guests. By transforming the lower level into a fully independent dwelling unit, the project added valuable living space and rental potential to the property while enhancing the overall functionality of the home.
Style: French Country
Design Challenges + Site Constraints: One of the primary design challenges for this project was maximizing livability and the number of bedrooms within the limited square footage of the existing basement level. H2D worked carefully to create an efficient layout that could accommodate at least two bedrooms, a full kitchen, bathroom, and open living area while still maintaining a spacious and welcoming feel appropriate for short-term rental use. Because the ADU was located within an existing daylight basement, the design also required thoughtful coordination with the existing site and structure to provide compliant egress windows for the bedrooms. Window locations, grading conditions, and exterior access points were carefully integrated into the design to bring additional natural light into the lower level while meeting life-safety requirements. Another key focus was strengthening the connection between the interior living spaces and the property’s outdoor amenities. H2D designed the layout to create a natural flow from the main living area to the exterior patio, helping the compact footprint feel more expansive and allowing guests to fully utilize the outdoor living space. Through efficient planning and careful attention to the existing site conditions, the project successfully transformed the basement into a bright, functional, and inviting independent residence.
Team:
+ Architecture: H2D Architecture + Design
+ Build: Harjo Construction
+ Photography: Cleary O’Farrell Photography