The New Avenue blog

More than decade of content on the things we love: your home

projects, accessory building Mason Blake projects, accessory building Mason Blake

Plans for an accessory building with laundry and half bath in Oakland

A homeowner in Oakland wanted to add space to her home that could be used as storage, a guest room, a laundry room, or a home office. New Avenue created this accessory building to enhance her property, making her home into a place that better suits her busy life.

For many homeowners, adding an accessory structure like this makes it possible to stay in the neighborhood they love. It’s an efficient way to add square footage to your home without the expense and difficulty of buying a new home in the area.

Read More
projects, accessory building Mason Blake projects, accessory building Mason Blake

Adding a detached office/bedroom in Oakland

These Oakland homeowners wanted to build a detached office/studio that could also be used as a guest room. They also wanted to remodel part of the main home. The existing office would become a bedroom, and the existing half bath/laundry would be upgraded to include a shower. One of their requirements: preserve the property’s beautiful trees and tea house. Here’s the design.

Read More

Design for a detached office in Oakland

Knowing the value an accessory dwelling can provide, he asked New Avenue to create an accessory structure that could be converted into a full accessory dwelling later. The designer created a 288-square-foot structure with space to add a kitchen and a shower in the future. Here are the drawings.

Read More
projects, remodel Mason Blake projects, remodel Mason Blake

Converting a workshop to a guest room or home office in Redwood City, CA

Robert and Rose of Redwood City, CA, owned a beautiful property with a detached workshop and a detached garage. They came to New Avenue looking to get more from their existing structures through a major remodel. New Avenue created a design that would unite the two smaller structures, making the most of the existing buildings while forming a usable space that supports the homeowners’ needs.

Read More
projects, accessory building Mason Blake projects, accessory building Mason Blake

Adding an accessory structure for a detached office or studio with garage in Redwood City, CA

A New Avenue design professional designed a 637-square-foot backyard accessory building that met the homeowner’s needs and fit in perfectly with the main home’s design and landscaping. The design includes a bathroom, a one-car garage, and a hobby room. This will be an ideal place for the homeowner to use as a home office, a creative studio, or a workroom for any activity that requires a dedicated space. Here are the plans.

Read More
projects, design, accessory building Mason Blake projects, design, accessory building Mason Blake

Building a backyard office and darkroom in Berkeley

When Valerie and Tim wanted to add a darkroom and home office to their property in Berkeley, they contacted New Avenue. The space in their backyard was perfect for a detached accessory structure, and New Avenue’s design professional created a place that would work as storage, a creative studio, and a workspace for the homeowners. The space includes ample storage, an important consideration for those who want more space for their work and hobbies.

Read More
projects, accessory building Mason Blake projects, accessory building Mason Blake

Converting a detached garage to a studio workspace in Oakland

A New Avenue design professional created the perfect space for Jose’s classic car (a VW Thing) and his bicycles. The designer was careful to create a plan that would protect the big Ponderosa pine in the yard. The garage door entry means Jose can store his VW, motorcycle, and bicycles in the accessory structure when he’s not using it as a workspace. The half bath makes it a great personal retreat and a well-appointed workspace. Here are the drawings and floor plan.

Read More
projects, accessory building, remodel Mason Blake projects, accessory building, remodel Mason Blake

Expanding an owner’s retreat and adding a detached studio in San Mateo

Brian and Dawn’s designer created plans to replace the existing accessory structure with a new 352-square-foot detached studio with a half bath. A deck and firepit give the owners and guests a comfortable place to relax or entertain.

The designer created plans to extend the owner’s suite in the main home, giving the homeowners more space in their bedroom and bathroom.

Here are the plans.

Read More
costs, ADU, Accessory Dwelling Unit, projects Mason Blake costs, ADU, Accessory Dwelling Unit, projects Mason Blake

Property tax increase when building an ADU in Berkeley, CA

A small accessory building like this one costs around $208,000 for design, permitting, all site work/engineering, and construction. When adding a backyard cottage or in-law suite of this size in Berkeley, you can expect to see a tax increase equal to about one-half of one percent of the full cost of the project. Here's what that means for this Berkeley home.

Read More

Schedule a free Assessment.

First step:

There’s no commitment, no pressure, no obligation.