Stanwood Avenue

Overview

Stanwood Avenue is a comprehensive reimagining of a compact urban property, where every exterior surface was carefully reconsidered and put to work. Within tight setbacks and close residential adjacencies, Ecocentrix transformed underutilized yards, rooftops, and residual spaces into a cohesive network of outdoor living environments designed for family life, entertaining, and long-term flexibility.

Rather than relying on scale or spectacle, this project is defined by precision—layered privacy, thoughtful circulation, and seamless connections between architecture, landscape, and daily life.

Design Challenge & Strategy

The site presented a familiar urban condition: limited land area, proximity to neighboring properties, and a desire for multiple outdoor experiences without visual or functional clutter.

Key challenges included:

• Integrating a fully livable ADU within tight property boundaries
• Maintaining privacy across multiple levels and uses
• Meeting fire separation and building code requirements
• Activating a previously underutilized rooftop
• Creating clear circulation for both everyday living and social gatherings

The design response focused on organization rather than excess—stacking programs vertically, clarifying movement, and ensuring that each outdoor space served a distinct purpose.

The ADU: A Flexible Urban Retreat

A compact yet highly adaptable ADU anchors the rear yard, functioning as guesthouse, pool cabana, and workspace. The structure is intentionally restrained in form, allowing it to integrate naturally with the main residence and landscape.

Large windows, skylights, and a generous accordion door system flood the interior with natural light while maintaining compliance with California Title 24 energy standards. Warm wood finishes, integrated storage, and a green roof contribute to a calm, efficient living environment that opens fully to the adjacent pool terrace.

The result is a space that feels expansive, bright, and connected—despite its compact footprint.

The rear yard is organized around a refined pool and spa composition, anchored by a focal water feature that introduces sound, movement, and visual depth. Built-in seating, a cantilevered bench, and integrated fire elements support both casual family use and larger gatherings.

A reworked dining terrace and overhead trellis structure provide shade and intimacy while preserving clear visual connections between the main house, ADU, and outdoor amenities.

Side Yard Garden & Circulation

Along the side yard, a wood plank pathway serves as a clear and welcoming means of egress, guiding guests from the front of the property to the rear yard. Dense planting, subtle lighting, and layered screening transform this circulation zone into an intentional garden passage rather than a residual space.

A private banquette nook overlooking this side-yard garden creates a quiet moment of retreat, reinforcing the idea that even the smallest spaces can offer comfort and intimacy when carefully designed.