Two Alley Cottages: Secondary Dwelling Units, 1994
Size: 1,000 s.f. Each
Location: Niles, California
Edwards Alley Cottage: Mr. Edwards wanted to take advantage of his deep lot with alley access in the Historic Niles District of Fremont. His needs included enclosed work shop ⁄ garage space, second level guest room, one exterior parking space and a garden room. The garden room was planned as a multi-function room: den, reading room and detached family room. This unique project provides additional amenities to his residence without requiring additions to the existing house. The philosophical architectural approach to this project was to consider it as a conversion of an existing structure (which never existed), thus a sense of pre-existing history.
Welschmeyer Alley Cottage: In conjunction with the design work on the Edwards Alley Cottage, the Welschmeyer family wanted to consider a similar building, which would enhance their property by taking advantage of the utility of the existing alleys within the Niles District of Fremont. Accommodation of parking was not required for this building, so the design focus was on guest house, studio and study functions. The lower floor provides the living facilities, which include a kitchenette, toilet and storage. The upper floor is one large open space suitable for studio, study and sleeping. As in the Edwards Alley Cottage, the design of this building remains simple in form, allowing its compatibility with the existing barn structures in the neighborhood.
