What is That Smell?
This post discusses the name “ADU,” short for accessory dwelling unit. The author says the term is widely used but does not feel vivid or descriptive.
About the author
- Audree Grubesic is credited on the page.
- The byline says: John Phillips.
- The post was published 13 minutes ago and is listed as a 2 min read.
- The author says he is an off-site ADU guy in Denver.
- His company, Verdant Living, specializes in ADUs built in a factory.
Main point
The post argues that “ADU” is a useful housing term but an awkward name. It is described as sterile, boring, and hard for people to picture.
The author compares the term to more evocative names and notes that many alternatives also fail to capture the full range of ADU use cases.
Examples of names discussed
- Backyard cottage
- Carriage house
- Coach house
- Granny flat
- Infill housing
- Sidekick
- Grand Retreat
- Multigenerational home
- Bungalow
- Casita
- Mini home
References mentioned in the post
- William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, Act 2, Scene 2
- Kol Peterson, described as a nationally known authority on ADUs
- Kol Peterson’s book, Backyard Revolution, which includes 65 names for ADUs in its index
- buildinganadu.com
- encoreroadmap.com
- fadingwest.com
Additional points
- ADUs have existed for a long time.
- The post cites Happy Days and Fonzie living above the Cunningham garage.
- The author says ADUs were often limited by local zoning regulations.
- He says demand for affordable housing and changing attitudes are making them more accepted.
- The post concludes that the term “ADU” is probably here to stay.
- The author says the term “modular” has similar naming problems.
Tags
- #adu
- #casita
- #bungalow
- #modularconstruction
- #smell
- #AccessoryDwellingUnit
- #ADU
- #OffsiteConstruction
- #ModularConstruction
- #FactoryBuiltHousing
- #AffordableHousing
- #HousingInnovation
- #HousingSolutions
- #InfillHousing
- #TinyHome
- #PrefabHomes
- #ResidentialConstruction
- #ConstructionInnovation