This project was proudly completed in partnership with Outwith Studio and Neighbor Architectures. You can find more information on this case by visiting their websites.
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are small, self-contained homes that can be built in backyards, basements, or over garages. These spaces can offer more affordable housing options for young adults, seniors, and families looking to stay in their communities. But before ADUs could become a widespread reality in Boston, the city’s Department of Planning and Development needed help understanding how to navigate zoning complexities and understanding what resources residents might need. To do this, the City of Boston partnered with Outwith Studio, Neighbor Architects, SLS, and Other Tomorrows.
While homeowners were a central audience, the team had to consider the broader home building ecosystem — architects, zoning officials, and builders — all of whom play a role in turning ADU ideas into real places to live.
By grounding every design in realistic constraints, the team considered the perspective of all of the key players in the building process. The guidebook would need to act as a tool for different stakeholders to speak the same language and imagine what’s possible together.
Every property, neighborhood, and homeowner is unique — each with their own personality, constraints, and goals. Any solution would need to offer a vision, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
The team created a guidebook featuring twelve inspiring ADU design, each grounded in common site conditions and the character of Boston’s neighborhoods. Rather than just a set of plans, the guidebook offers the city’s residents a source of inspiration — with thoughtful design variations, floor plan options, and practical guidance — to help homeowners imagine what’s possible and tailor each ADU to their unique needs, goals, and home-types. Other Tomorrows, working in close collaboration with the rest of the design team and the City of Boston’s Planning Department, created the visual identity for the ADU program and the graphic treatment for the printed book and digital experience.
Learn more on the City of Boston’s ADU website.
