A large round hole allows a glimpse through the white wall in front of this California home. auxiliary living spacedesigned by architect Yan M. Wang of Cover Architecture for his mother.

The Los Angeles based architect built an additional apartment on his property in Altadena, north of Pasadena, so his mother and her partner could be closer to family after retirement.

White ADU, view from street — The Moongate ADU was built between the main house at the rear of the property and the street.

The 620-square-foot (57-square-metre) building was built between the main house and the street and split into two to make room for a walkway to the rear of the property.

The living quarters are located in the larger part on the right, and the storage rooms are in the narrow volume on the left. Both rooms are completely white.

Patio in front of a white building — The partition creates a private patio in front of the house.

The minimalist form was deliberately designed to “challenge” the 1961 ranch-style, single-story home where Van and his young family live.

“This deliberate contrast of styles and building eras represents the interplay of the ordinary and the extraordinary,” said the architect.

Neutral and bright living room — The interiors are neutral and light.

The ADU's living volume is partially concealed by a wall that rises from the walkway and includes a circular portal punched through at the higher end.

This feature gave the project the name “Moongate”, after the round gates found in traditional Chinese architecture.

Kitchen with birch plywood joinery and grey marble countertops — All interiors, including the kitchen, are made from birch plywood.

“Its distinctive slanted partition with a large circular opening both conceals and reveals what lies beyond the parapet,” Wang said.

The wall creates a shaded terrace in front of the house, which serves as an outdoor seating area, secluded from the street.

Bathroom with dark tiles on lower walls and a dormer window above — The roof window provides additional natural light in the bathroom.

The curved eaves elements of the roof and the arched entrance to the storage space help to perceive the two volumes as a single whole.

Inside the modest building there is a kitchen and living room, a bedroom, a bathroom and a small office.

“Cheerful geometric forms are evident throughout both the exterior and interior of the ADU, as well as in the palette of light, natural materials,” the architect said.

Baltic birch plywood cabinetry with round pulls used throughout is complemented by light gray Pietra Artica marble used for the kitchen counter and onyx marble above the bathroom vanity.

A girl reads through a round hole in a white wall. — The circular portal in the front partition is reminiscent of those found in traditional Chinese architecture.

Skylights in the kitchen and bathroom provide additional natural light to these areas, and the rear terrace overlooks the courtyard shared with the main house.

“These three structures, in dialogue with each other, help to strengthen the sense of connection with nature, bringing together three generations and providing enough space for shared interactions as well as for retreating to secluded areas,” Wang said.

White ADU building at dusk — The ADU allows the architect's retired mother and her partner to live closer to his young family.

ADUs have grown in popularity in states like California and Texas, where revised zoning laws allow for higher housing densities in urban and suburban areas.

Others in California include mountain home in marin county with a wooden interior and an attic, as well as Bay Area Residential Complex consisting of two pedimented volumes connected by a glazed bridge.

Photo taken Leonid Furmansky.

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