Adding equity and more space to your property. Expand your property's potential by adding versatile spaces that perfectly suit your lifestyle and needs.
A home that goes above and beyond.
If you are like most Canadians, your single most important asset is your principal residence or home. Shouldn’t it work harder for you in its performance and income potential? As Registered Building Designers we specialise in barns, shops, and ADU's - particularly within the ALR - to help our clients sustain their farms, support their hobbies, and provide a home to family members or tenants.
And we make it look good while doing it.
Let's explore your property’s potential together whether we include an ADU, shop or barn with your custom home design or as a standalone design service.
ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit)
Innovative layouts to maximize square footage and functionality, while enhancing the curb appeal and value of your property, and providing housing for family or extra rental income.
Barns
Providing storage space for machinery, hay, animals, and other unique requirements to sustain your farm, balancing function and aesthetics in every beam and corner.
Shops and Garages
Maximize the utility of your workspace so that you can fully indulge in your hobbies, like collector cars, woodworking, and more - plus the option to add an ADU!
What is an Accessory Dwelling Unit?
An accessory dwelling unit (commonly known as an ADU) is an independent living space, such as a garden suite, laneway home, carriage house, or coach house, situated on the same lot as the primary dwelling. It’s exciting to see these grow in popularity in recent years as more families opt for multigenerational living. There’s a lot of creative options available that we can help you explore! At Willson Design, we will also help you navigate the stringent and evolving planning regulations and building code standards that are in place within British Columbia for the creation of ADUs.
Garden Suite
A compact single-story dwelling suitable for backyards in suburban neighbourhoods.Laneway House
One or two storey dwelling suitable for urban neighbourhoods with lane access.Carriage House / Couch House
An independant dwelling unit above a detached garage often used on rural properties or a farm. Note that there are certain size implications for this type of ADU if in the ALR.Secondary Suite
Self-contained residential unit situated in a home or above an attached garage. These type of ADU's are a great option for multigenerational living sutations. Note that municipalities have their own size restrictions for secondary suites.
LET’S TAKE A TOUR Check Out Some Recent Projects
GLAD YOU ASKED! FAQ’s about ADU's, Barns and Shops
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) cater to a diverse range of needs, making them a versatile addition to any property. Whether you're exploring rental opportunities, fostering multi-generational living, bringing families closer together while maintaining individual spaces, or considering options like Airbnb, ADUs offer a flexible and functional solution tailored to your specific lifestyle and objectives.
Absolutely! While the ALR permits secondary dwellings, the size and location depend on various factors. Barns and other agricultural buildings are generally more permissible but involve nuanced considerations. Don't worry; our team has successfully navigated these intricacies many times before and will expertly guide you through the process to ensure your vision becomes a reality.
As with the rest of our design services, we use a simple cost per square foot pricing model. This price is influced by the scope of the work and municipality. After our initial meeting our Designers will provide a written quote to allow you to properly budget for your set of buildings plans for your shop, garage, barn or ADU.
This can vary based on specific scope of the design work but generally it takes a few weeks to a couple of months.
When designing an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) for rental purposes, we meticulously consider zoning requirements, including building height, area, and location on the property. Our focus extends to ensuring the ADU complements the main dwelling with cohesive materials and design elements, creating a harmonious and functional space that aligns seamlessly with both zoning regulations and your vision for a successful rental property.
Yes, it's possible to add a dwelling to your shop, but there are very specific regulations set by the Agricultural Land Comission that govern the type of agricultural buildings allowed. The ALC has implemented complex rules and design limitations to prevent unauthorized dwellings in the ALR. It's important to note that interpretations of these rules may vary between municipalities, so it's crucial to consult with our team to navigate these regulations and determine the feasibility of adding a dwelling to your barn or shop while complying with ALR guidelines.
We make it a point to keep our finger on the pulse of changing bylaws and regulations, especially in recent months as the Province and local Municipalities are making drastic changes related to ADU's and zoning. With so many municipalities in play, we stay updated by checking regularly. If there's ever a question or a gray area, we're not shy about reaching out and having a chat with the building officials and city staff. It's our way of making sure we're always in the know and on the right track.
Still have questions that we haven't answered yet? Send us a message and we'd be happy to help!
Committed to quality plans, style that 'wows', and a design experience that's smooth and enjoyable.
(NO PRESSURE, NO EGOS, JUST GOOD IDEAS)
