SITU ADU — Detached ADU

by Michael Jerome Brotherton (Story Architecture PLLC)Detached ADU
Studio
Bedrooms
1
Bathrooms
280
Sq Ft

About this design

The SITU Ancillary Dwelling Unit is a 280 sq. ft. studio loft with high ceilings that is based on a modular structural frame system developed by WikiHouse. The high precision factory built structural units allow for a high performance airtight enclosure that can be rapidly built and is easy to maintain and adapt. The studio apartment contains a bathroom with shower, a kitchen with dishwasher, induction oven and full fridge, a convertible living room/bedroom with fold-down murphy bed, a mini-split AC system, and a storage loft accessed via ship's ladder. Pre-approved ADU design from New York City's “ADU for You” Pre-Approved Plan Library (NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development). Designed by SITU. The pre-approved plan set is obtained from the design professional who owns it; a site-specific review and filing with the NYC Department of Buildings is still required before construction.

Site Plan

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Features & Specifications

Design Details

Style: Contemporary
Foundation: Slab
Dimensions: 20' x 14' x 15'

Supporting Documents

Publicly available

Supplemental materials published by NYC HPD for this design: the architect's design questionnaire and reference geometry. These are not the pre-approved construction drawing set; the full plan set is obtained directly from the architect. A site-specific review and filing with the NYC Department of Buildings is required before construction.

Plan Details

ADU TypeDetached
Building ShapeRectangular
Construction TypePre-fabricated
Architectural StyleContemporary
AppliancesDishwasher Refrigerator
Exterior Dimensions14′ W × 20′ L × 15′ H
Ceiling Height: Bathroom7 ft
Ceiling Height: Living Space13.5 ft
Ceiling Height: Sleeping Space13.5 ft
Window-to-Wall Ratio12 %

Materials & Finishes

Facade MaterialWood
General FlooringWood
Kitchen FlooringWood
Bathroom FlooringTile

Accessibility

Is the ADU designed with architectural barriers such as steps at the entrance or between rooms?No
Is the ADU designed with assistive railings (grab bars) installed in the bathroom?No
Is the ADU designed to accommodate a wheelchair users?No

Sustainability

Mechanical Systems & Building Envelope

Is the ADU designed to incorporate a heat pump that operates with higher-than-minimum equipment efficiencies according to HPDs Electric Heating Policy?Yes
Is the ADU designed to incorporate drain-water or wastewater heat recovery?No
Does the ADUs insulation exceed the minimum requirements for New York City Energy Conservation Code (NYCECC)?Yes
Is the ADU designed to harvest, treat, and reuse greywater to meet a portion of the project’s non-potable water needs?No
Is the ADU designed with windows with a U-Factor of ≤ 0.27?Not Applicable
Is the ADU designed with windows with a Solar Heat Gain Efficient (SHGC) of ≤ 0.4?Yes

Material Sourcing & Circularity

Is the ADU design specified to use building materials or products have been extracted, harvested or recovered, as well as manufactured within a 500-mile radius of the project site?Yes
If the ADU is designed to use wood as a construction material, is it designed to use wood from a sustainable forest?Yes
If the ADU is designed to use concrete as a construction material, is it designed to use low-carbon concrete?Not Applicable
If the ADU is designed to use steel as a construction material, is it designed to use recycled steel and/or steel from electric arc furnaces (EAFs)?Not Applicable

Design Professional

SITU
Registered Design Professional: Michael Jerome Brotherton (Story Architecture PLLC)
Brooklyn, NY Brooklyn NY

Contact the Registered Design Professional for details on building this pre-approved design on your lot.

3D Massing Model

An interactive 3D model of the design’s massing (its overall form and scale). Drag to orbit, scroll to zoom.

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Pre-Approved / Standard Plan Cities

New York CityNew YorkManhattanBrooklynQueensBronxStaten Island

Permit Fee Estimate

Jurisdiction

Detected from address

Some West LA and Studio City pockets are unincorporated LA County. Confirm your jurisdiction with the local building department if you are near a boundary.

Estimated Build Cost Range

Based on square footage and regional construction averages

Low estimate$220,000
High estimate$280,000
Estimated range$220,000 – $280,000

This range is a speculative estimate based on typical LA-area construction costs ($350–$600/sqft) and the plan's square footage. It does not account for site conditions, permitting fees, utility connections, or material selections. Actual costs must be validated with a licensed general contractor or the plan's architect before making any financial decisions.

Rental Income Estimate

Build Location

Los Angeles, CA

Financing Your Build

Most homeowners finance ADU construction rather than paying cash. These are the common routes — A-du is building lending partnerships to connect you directly.

Illustrative payment on a $250,000 build~$2,170/mo

Illustration only, assuming a 20-year fixed loan at 8.5% APR on the estimated build-cost midpoint. Your rate, term, and eligibility depend on the lender and your finances. This is not an offer of credit; financing is provided by third-party lenders, subject to their approval.

Renovation & ADU construction loans

Lenders that underwrite on your home’s value after the ADU is built — often the best fit when current equity doesn’t cover the build.

Home equity (HELOC / home equity loan)

For owners with substantial equity, a line of credit against the home is typically the simplest and fastest route to fund construction.

Grants & public programs

California periodically funds ADU grant programs (e.g. the CalHFA ADU Grant for predevelopment costs, when funded). Worth checking before you borrow.

About the Vendor

Michael Jerome Brotherton (Story Architecture PLLC)
Michael Jerome Brotherton (Story Architecture PLLC)

SITU

Pre-approved ADU design from NYC HPD's “ADU for You” Pre-Approved Plan Library — “SITU ADU” by SITU. Reviewed for general code and zoning compliance by New York City. The plan set is free to use through the programme. The Registered Design Professional named above is the author of the design.

Important Information

Pre-Approval Status: Pre-approval information is provided by the vendor and should be verified directly with your local building department.

Cost Estimates: All pricing information is provided by the vendor as estimates only. Actual costs may vary.

Platform Role: A-du is a technology platform connecting landlords with design vendors. We do not provide architectural, engineering, or construction services.

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