ADU's, Shops & Barns

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.

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Black and white sketch of a custom home design showcasing a two-story house with a double garage door. The roof features two dormer windows, and bushes line the pathway leading to the entrance, expertly crafted by talented building designers.

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.

concept drawing sketch of a custom barn design

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.

concept drawing sketch of a custom shop design

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!

A charming custom home design features a gabled roof, stone facade, large windows, and a white door, all surrounded by a small garden.

This modern backyard, crafted by top home designers, features a small white building, patio chairs, and a pool. Enclosed by trees and a wooden fence, it embodies the essence of custom home design.

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

A white barn with brown doors and a gabled roof stands in a grassy field, showcasing the expertise of building designers. Trees and a fence grace the background under a partly cloudy sky.

A large three-car garage with a gray and white exterior, expertly crafted by home designers, features a concrete driveway and is set against the backdrop of trees at dusk.

A large house with a stone facade, multiple gables, and a two-car garage showcases the brilliance of building designers. It's situated on a spacious, paved driveway surrounded by well-maintained lawns and trees.

A three-car garage with brown doors, gray siding, and a gabled roof showcases custom home design. Large planters with green plants adorn the front, while tall trees provide a scenic backdrop crafted by expert home designers.

Took all of our ideas and made them work in a design that is perfect for our family.

"We chose Willson design to draw up plans for our new home and barn as they came highly recommended to us. We enjoyed working with Cam. I would definitely recommend Wilson design!"

Robert W.

Detailed, Professional, Knowledgeable

"Willson Design is very detailed, professional and knowledgeable. Thank you Cam for all your hard work and suggestions in designing our new home and barn. It was a pleasure working with Willson Design. I highly recommend Willson Design."

Savina Huff

Great to work with, very responsive whenever we had a question or concern.

"We chose Willson Design to design our house and shop after hearing positive reviews from trusted contacts. Cam at Willson was extremely professional and pleasant to deal with, he took a general idea and turned it into our dream house. We highly recommend using them for your design needs!"

Ross Belansky

GLAD YOU ASKED! FAQ’s about ADU's, Barns and Shops

Who is an accessory dwelling unit for?

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.

My property is in the ALR - can I still build a shop, barn or ADU?

How much do you charge for your shop, barn or ADU design services?

What is the typical timeline for your accessory building design process?

What considerations do you take into account when designing an accessory dwelling unit for rental purposes?

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.

Can I add a dwelling to my shop?

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.

How do you stay updated on the evolving Bylaws and regulations?

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.

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