Far Nordic ADU: Detached Above New Garage ADU

by FAR ArchitectureDetached Above New Garage ADU

Pre-approved in New York City, New York, Manhattan and 4 more places, not in Los Angeles. Building it in Los Angeles would need the city's full plan review.

1
Bedrooms
1
Bathrooms
600
Sq Ft

About this design

This one-bedroom, two-story accessory dwelling unit draws from Nordic design, offering a clean, modern retreat above a garage. Simple forms, natural textures, and lines balance warmth with durability. Inside, expansive windows pull daylight deep into the compact plan, while wood finishes and thoughtful detailing create intimacy. A kitchen, storage, and a flexible living area support routines. Designed as a light-filled yet cozy refuge, it’s a place to return after a long day in the city. 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 FAR Architecture. 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

See how this design fits on your lot. Drag the ADU footprint to explore placement options.

Click and drag the ADU to reposition
ADU20' x 30'
Legend
Lot Boundary
Setbacks (5' side/5' rear)
Structure Buffer (10')
Existing Structures
ADU (20' x 30')
Setback Conflict
Valid Placement
ADU fits within the buildable zone, respecting all setbacks.
Measured
Side lot line145'-11" / 5' min
Rear lot line76'-6" / 5' min
Side lot line170'-6" / 5' min
Side lot line376'-1" / 5' min
Side lot line376'-3" / 5' min
To nearest structure10'-2"

Shortest distance from the unit to each controlling line, from the county parcel map. Good to a foot or two; not a survey.

Property
Lot Size50,000 sq ft
CityCA
Structures2
ADU Design
Footprint20' x 30'
Area600 sq ft
Height25'
Setbacks
Front Yard15 ft
Side Yard5 ft
Rear Yard5 ft
From Structure10 ft
Max Height16 ft

This site plan is for preliminary planning only. Setback data is based on general municipal guidelines and may not reflect site-specific conditions, easements, or recent zoning changes. Always consult with a licensed professional before proceeding.

3D Site View

The ADU at your chosen placement alongside the existing structures on the lot. The navy outline marks the lot boundary; the gray outline marks the buildable area inside the setbacks. Move or rotate the ADU above and the 3D view follows.

Drag to orbit · updates as you move the ADU

Features & Specifications

Design Details

Style: Contemporary
Foundation: Slab
Dimensions: 30' x 20' x 25'

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 Above New Garage
Building ShapeRectangular
Construction TypeStick-built
Architectural StyleContemporary
Architectural FeaturesOutdoor Deck
AppliancesDishwasher Washer/Dryer Refrigerator
Exterior Dimensions20′ W × 30′ L × 25′ H
Ceiling Height: Bathroom8 ft
Ceiling Height: Living Space9 to 12 ft
Ceiling Height: Sleeping Space8 ft
Window-to-Wall Ratio21 %

Materials & Finishes

Facade MaterialWood and stone veneer
General FlooringWood
Kitchen FlooringWood
Bathroom FlooringTile

Accessibility

Is the ADU designed with architectural barriers such as steps at the entrance or between rooms?Yes
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?No
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?No
If the ADU is designed to use wood as a construction material, is it designed to use wood from a sustainable forest?No
If the ADU is designed to use concrete as a construction material, is it designed to use low-carbon concrete?No
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)?No

Design Professional

FAR Architecture · PLLC
Registered Design Professional: Daniel Ferguson
Long Island City, NY Long Island City 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.

Drag to orbit · scroll to zoom

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$390,000
High estimate$450,000
Estimated range$390,000 to $450,000

This range is a speculative estimate based on typical LA-area construction costs ($350 to $600 per square foot) 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. Talk to a lender you choose; A-du does not arrange loans.

Illustrative payment on a $420,000 build~$3,645/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 designer

FAR Architecture
FAR Architecture

Plan contact: Daniel Ferguson

Pre-approved ADU design from NYC HPD's “ADU for You” Pre-Approved Plan Library: “Far Nordic ADU” by FAR Architecture. 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 homeowners with design vendors. We do not provide architectural, engineering, or construction services.

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