DADU photo of the week - green roof

DADU, view from the primary residence. 

The roof of this DADU was designed to be seen. For more images visit the Laurelhurst Cottage on our website. 

DADU workshop thursday 4/23 at 7:00 pm

The next of popular DADU workshops scheduled for this Thursday has moved online. Sign up for our open house invites for more information and updates.

Backyard cottages can be used for many things, including housing a family member, a short term rental, a home office, or all of these things. Join Bruce Parker from Microhouse and Stefan Hansmire from Hansmire Builders to learn about what is possible and what is going on with the industry right now.

Time: Thursday 4/23 at 7:00 pm
Location: Online
Suggested donation $20 PNA members, $30 general public. All proceeds support the Phinney Neighborhood Association

DADU photo of the week

microhouse interns imagine what backyard cottages might be like if there were no height limit.

Self Guided DADU tour

We are unable to host DADU open houses for the near term. And our annual spring backyard cottage tour is also up in the air.  However, a great alternative is a self guided walking or biking cottage tour.  The following is a link to our DADU tour from last spring which featured owner built cottages.

NW Seattle DADU tour


Start 11233 Phinney Ave N

A.   11041 1st Ave NW

B. 3040 NW 63rd St 

C. 5014 8th Ave NW

D. 4134 1st Ave NW

Additional nearby cottages


3410 NW 65th St

919 NW 65th St

We are working on adding video content and other images from these cottages. The best collection of DADU images can be found on our web site.

DADUs - Resiliency and Planning

Thinking about the long-term use of a home and designing for flexibility is an important part of preparing for an uncertain future. Adding a DADU or ADU to an existing home is an important consideration. ADUs allow people more flexibility to accommodate a growing family, changing work requirements, and to provide supplemental rental income.

DADUs and ADUs also provide an opportunity for elderly family members to live close and be a bigger part of their families lives while allowing them independence.  Congregate living has efficiencies with scale and the number of residence. The downsides to congregate living have become readily apparent with the spread of COVID-19. On the other hand, seniors living in a family DADU are more readily able to regulate personal contacts and to shelter in place with their families.

Building a DADU starts with planning and we are here to help

The first questions we usually answer for people planning to build a backyard cottage are about feasibility, cost, and design which are all interrelated. A preliminary site assessment, which we can do over the phone or via email, is the first part. At that time, we can discuss budget ranges for recently completed backyard cottages.

To get started, contact us with your address and the goals for your cottage. We’ll be in touch a schedule a phone meeting. 

DADU - photo of the week

ballard DADU

For DADUs rooms that serve multiple functions are a must. This small backyard cottage is about as versatile as they come.  The ground floor is an open floor plan with kitchen living and bath. The 2nd floor has a large bedroom and bath with kitchenette. A door separating the two floors allows them to be used together, as they typically are, or for the 2nd floor to be rented out independently.  And of course there is the "man wall" complete with weight rack, beer fridge and taps. The exposed wood joists were spaced to accommodate the clearance for the weights.

For more photos

DADU workshop April 23rd

Backyard Cottages for Fun and Profit
Thursday, April 23rd 7:00-9:00 pm

Backyard cottages can be used for many things, including housing a family member or as a short term rental. Join Bruce Parker from Microhouse and Stefan Hansmire from Stefan Hansmire Builds to learn what is possible and how to establish a realistic budget for your cottage.

Location: Online
Suggested Donation: $20 PNA members, $30 general public. All proceeds support the Phinney Neighborhood Association

Register