laneway ADU 4
fence
he water heater is always in the garage, right? Not if the garage is detached. In that case, you need to find an alternative. In warmer climates that offer natural gas, an on-demand water heater can be mounted on the outside of the home. Not the case for cooler climates. Finding a conditioned space inside the home that won’t be destroyed when the water heat leaks is a concern.
FINISHED ROOM OVER THE GARAGE The FROG, as it is affectionately called in some markets, is very common in alley loaded communities. It could be utilized as a guest suite, but it also makes a great work from home space. Some communities will even let you rent out your FROG – but check first.
access from the garage may be difficult in an alley loaded house. Ideally, you want to arrive inside the home for convenience, inclement weather, and security. When the garage is detached, you could add a breezeway to add shade and protection from rain, but breezeways are not cheap both because of lumber cost but also because of uplift. For security, you could fence the yard. Then hopefully locate the kitchen closest to the garage.
outdoor living is a huge selling point, so it is important to carve out both covered and uncovered space in the back that is shielded from the alley.
streetscape from alley-loaded homes creates a more community-centric, pleasing appearance because facades aren't interrupted by garages. Housing Design Matters says it’s important to remember seven key points when designing an alley-loaded community: three-car garages, rooms over the garage, the water heater, primary bedroom, private outdoor space, build to line, and egress from the garage. Private outdoor spaces are big hits with buyers, so it’s important to ensure the backyard has covered and uncovered areas.
When working with small lots, it’s important to maximize the space with a functional, efficient design.
17-foot wide lot
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