Our client dreamed of building an additional dwelling unit in Leimert Park, California for the past 25 years.
She approached us to help her realize her dream when our company was nothing but a distant idea. Inspired by her trust, we took the leap of faith and founded ATELIER X in 2023 in Los Angeles.
Little did we know, she in turned helped us to realized our dream to create a new chapter in our lives. This is the story of our shared design journey of go-giving and friendship.
Our client dreamed of building an additional dwelling unit in Leimert Park, California for the past 25 years.
She approached us to help her realize her dream when our company was nothing but a distant idea. Inspired by her trust, we took the leap of faith and founded ATELIER X in 2023 in Los Angeles.
Little did we know, she in turned helped us to realized our dream to create a new chapter in our lives. This is the story of our shared design journey of go-giving and friendship.
Introduction
Designed to maximize space, air, and light. The home is carefully shaped to welcome natural light throughout the day. Behind the kitchen, a gracious bathroom is thoughtfully planned with accessibility in mind, allowing the home to support us as we grow older.
We set out to document the entire construction process so that people can better understand why having a great set of construction drawings is essential when building a home. Clear drawings solves problems before problems occur. They reduce friction. They create confidence. They allow builders to do their best work efficiently and with joy.
We set out to document the entire construction process so that people can better understand why having a great set of construction drawings is essential when building a home. Clear drawings solves problems before problems occur. They reduce friction. They create confidence. They allow builders to do their best work efficiently and with joy.
Foundation
Episode 1
★★★★★
How to Prepare a Site for
Concrete Foundation
Episode 2
How to Form and Protect
Concrete Foundation
Episode 3
How to Prepare a Site for
Concrete Foundation
A full-sized kitchen with an often requested peninsula island makes this ADU feel like a custom home. A gracious bathroom is ready to be adapted to better support assisted living in the future.
We designed Sweet ADU to maximize space and flexibility. At an efficient 925 square feet, there are a total of 2 interior walls and doors.
Efficient Design
A full-sized kitchen with an often requested peninsula island makes this ADU feel like a custom home. We designed Sweet ADU to maximize space and flexibility. At an efficient 925 square feet, there are a total of 2 interior walls and doors.
Leveraging the skills of our builders, a custom kitchen was crafted on site using pre engineered wood and off the shelf appliances and windows, allowing us to reduce cost while maintaining a high level of quality.
Coming from decades of designing luxury homes where budget was plentiful, we began by asking three simple question.
Why are homes expensive to build?
How can people experience serenity?
What does luxury really mean?
Coming from decades of designing luxury homes where budget was plentiful, we began by asking three simple question.
Why are homes expensive to build?
How can people experience serenity?
What does luxury really mean?
Sweet ADU was designed to be cost effective to build by using a balloon framing technique that allowed for fewer and taller pieces of lumber. This helped reduce costs while improving both the quality and appearance of the walls.
By working with trusted builders from our network, the same teams who build high end homes, we were able to achieve a smooth near level 5 wall finish at an affordable cost.
Episode 4
What goes into
Wood Framing
Episode 5
What goes into
Wood Framing
Episode 6
★★★★★
What goes into
Wood Framing
Episode 7
★★★★★
What goes into
Love at First Sight
Episode 8
What goes into
Wood Framing
Wood Framing
The Loft
The loft was designed to serve as the primary bedroom, with a generous outdoor terrace. Over time, if needs change, the inhabitant can move to the ground floor while the upstairs becomes a flexible space for a caretaker, visiting family members, or other uses.
This approach allows the owner to fully enjoy the home today while maintaining long term flexibility for the future.
Episode 9
★★★★★
We Asked for
Episode 10
★★★★★
We Asked for
Our Client’s Dream
Builder Feedback
Outdoor Living
The outdoor terrace becomes an extension of the home, connecting interior life to open air and distant views, and allowing the spaces within to feel larger and more expansive.
Episode 11
★★★★★
What goes into
Concrete Finishing
Episode 12
What goes into
Stucco Finishing
Finishes
A central courtyard, currently under construction, creating a private and protected environment for daily living. This approach also future proofs the house should neighboring properties build additional ADUs over time.
Planned as part of second phase, Sweet ADU 2 is an 800 square foot home that will complete the central courtyard and establish it as the heart of the property.
Planned as part of phase 2, Sweet ADU 2 is an 800 square foot home that will complete the central courtyard and establish it as the heart of the property.
A central courtyard, currently under construction, creating a private and protected environment for daily living. This approach also future proofs the house should neighboring properties build additional ADUs over time.
Courtyard
Inspired by our experience helping a Sweet ADU client realize her dream, we started the 10,000 Doors Project. This initiative focuses on building 10,000 Sweet ADUs and Home Grown homes to help contribute to solving the housing shortage in Los Angeles.
Working alongside builders, developers, and community partners, we hope to make the process easier for families seeking affordable housing that supports flexible living, multigenerational households, and additional income opportunities. More information to follow.
10,000 Doors
Inspired by our experience helping a Sweet ADU client realize her dream, we started the 10,000 Doors Project. This initiative focuses on building Sweet ADUs and Home Grown homes at scale to help contribute to solving the housing shortage in Los Angeles.
Working alongside builders, developers, and community partners, we hope to make the process easier for families seeking cost effective housing that supports quality, flexible living, multigenerational households, and additional income opportunities.
Sweet ADU Team
Architecture:
Architectural Design // Expedited Building Permit // Construction Documents // Bid and Value Engineering // Construction Observation
Interior:
Interior Design // Lighting Design
Team:
Lukas Peter // Howard Chu
Photographer . Erik Stackpole Underhn
Joseph Liu Consulting Engineering
Archwood Bulders, Inc.
Completed 2025
Recognition
Client Endorsements
“Thank you for sharing your professional connections, expertise and allowing me to have a seamless experience.” - Sweet ADU Client
“Thank you and Lukas for everything! You’ve been a blessing. You’re amazing. It truly looks fabulous.”
- Sweet ADU Client
”Lukas treats the project as if he’s spending his own money. I am thankful for you both.”
- Sweet ADU Client
“We love working with good architects. They work with good contractors. You guys make our job easier to do, and the client gets better results.”
- Archwood Builders
“I knew you were the one when you told me the first survey cost too much and I should wait.”
- Client
Client Endorsements
“Thank you for sharing your professional connections, expertise and allowing me to have a seamless experience.” - Sweet ADU Client
“Thank you and Lukas for everything! You’ve been a blessing. You’re amazing. It truly looks fabulous.”
- Sweet ADU Client
”Lukas treats the project as if he’s spending his own money. I am thankful for you both.”
- Sweet ADU Client
“We love working with good architects. They work with good contractors. You guys make our job easier to do, and the client gets better results.”
- Archwood Builders
“I knew you were the one when you told me the first survey cost too much and I should wait.”
- Client