Moongate ADU / Cover Architecture

Architects: Cover Architecture
Area: 620 ft²
Year: 2024
Photographs: Leonid Furmansky
Category: Residential Architecture, Houses
Principal Architect: Mike Wang
Design Team: Cover Architecture
City: Los Angeles
Country: United States

Moongate ADU residential project designed by Cover Architecture in Altadena, United States introduces a sculptural front-facing volume defined by a sloped wall and circular opening that both reveals and conceals the dwelling beyond. The 620-square-foot unit is sited at the front of the lot due to the position of the existing 1961 ranch house at the rear, overlooking Hahamongna Watershed Park. Contrasting architectural languages between the ADU and the original home emphasize the dialogue between ordinary and expressive forms. Geometric elements in the facade respond to programmatic needs, with a raised deck and partition wall integrating privacy and outdoor use. The arched entry of the adjacent storage unit echoes the curvilinear form of the ADU, allowing the two volumes to read as a singular entity. A shared pathway leads to a courtyard that links all structures and supports intergenerational living. Inside, cheerful geometries and a natural palette include custom Baltic birch millwork, Pietra Artica Marble, and onyx surfaces, combining tactile warmth with refinement.

A street-facing ADU introduces a sculptural facade that adds visual interest to a quiet neighborhood in Altadena. Its expressive sloped partition wall, featuring a large circular opening, simultaneously conceals and reveals what lies beyond the parapet. Designed by principal architect Mike Wang of Cover Architecture, the 620-square-foot residence was created for his mother, Pei, and her partner, Dan, both former professors, to enjoy their retirement while living near Mike and his young family, who occupy the main house on the property.

In contrast to a typical residential layout, the ADU is positioned at the front of the property, as the existing 1961 suburban ranch-style single-story house is located at the very edge of a ravine, overlooking Hahamongna Watershed Park. The addition of two new structural elements, the ADU and a storage unit, was intentionally designed to challenge the conventional post-and-beam architecture of the house situated at the rear of the lot. This deliberate juxtaposition of architectural styles and periods creates a dialogue between the ordinary and the extraordinary.

The geometric forms, voids, and openings of the front facade are primarily shaped by programmatic requirements. Constructed on a raised foundation, the need for stairs and a deck to access the ADU supports the integration of an outdoor sitting area, where one can enjoy coffee or read a book behind the partition. This partition also serves as a protective barrier, providing privacy for the space.

The curvature of the roof eaves responds to the curved wall and is also designed to invite natural daylight into the dwelling. The resulting facade becomes a cohesive composition, where the arched entry of the storage unit echoes the curvilinear forms of the ADU, allowing both volumes to be perceived as a unified whole. A pathway between the ADU and the storage leads to a central courtyard and the main house, establishing a connection to the outdoors that supports shared, intergenerational living.

Cheerful geometries carry through from the exterior into the interior of the ADU, accompanied by a light, natural material palette. Playful elements, including round knobs on the Baltic birch plywood millwork found throughout the rooms, contribute to a soft tactile experience. Light gray Pietra Artica Marble is used for the kitchen countertop, while onyx marble adds a refined touch to the bathroom vanity surfaces. Although the ADU follows a relatively standard layout, it includes all essential spaces such as a sleeping area, bathroom, kitchen, and living room, each generously sized for comfort. In addition, a small office space is discreetly positioned in a corner near the bedroom, allowing users to continue their scholarly activities.