Tweto Architecture
Buckman ADU front exterior, a pale green cottage with metal roof, picket fence, brick path, and arbor trellis at the entry, SE Portland by Tweto Architecture

Buckman ADU

ADU · Southeast Portland

The clients loved their Vancouver Avenue ADU, built in 2020, and when the chance came to live next door to their daughter and grandkids in SE Portland, they asked us to do it again. Working with their daughter, who owns the property, they set out to build a second ADU together and maximize the 800 SF size limit.

The result is a two-level cottage with a main-floor bedroom and full bath, a vaulted living and dining area, and a loft bedroom above. The design opens to the street at the front and connects to the daughter's backyard at the rear.

Contractor: Stephen Hull Construction
Photography: 22 Pages Photography

Stair with painted steel railing, built-in storage and fireplace insert below, and loft with exposed wood beam above, Buckman ADU SE Portland by Tweto Architecture
Green lower kitchen cabinets with walnut countertop and stair with painted steel railing beyond, Buckman ADU SE Portland by Tweto Architecture

An open, vaulted space holds the living and dining areas. The kitchen is tucked to the side in a bump-out to the south, keeping the main room clear. A stair with integrated built-in storage forms the backdrop to the living area while taking up as little floor space as possible. A passage leads past the back door to the main bedroom and bathroom, with a direct connection to the daughter's yard.

The main-level plan meets the City of Portland's Visitability standards for accessible design. Extra-tall divided-lite windows and skylights fill the interior with light and help the space feel larger than its footprint.

Painted wood cabinets with an oiled walnut countertop give the kitchen a warm, classic look. Exposed wood framing around the kitchen and in the bedroom adds texture to the interior. A painted steel handrail keeps the stair and loft landing light and open.

Outside, painted fiber cement siding and a metal roof are built to last. Scalloped wood shingles bring cottage character to the front porch cover and the rear dormer. The project was featured on the 2024 Portland ADU Tour.

Kitchen with green lower cabinets, cream upper cabinets, walnut countertop, and exposed wood beam framing the kitchen bump-out, Buckman ADU SE Portland by Tweto Architecture
Open living area looking toward the front door, with built-in window seat and shelves flanking the street-facing windows and entry mudroom cabinetry at right, Buckman ADU SE Portland by Tweto Architecture
Vaulted main living area with skylights, stair at left, built-in window seat, and front door at right, Buckman ADU SE Portland by Tweto Architecture
Kitchen with green cabinets and walnut countertop at left, stair with painted steel railing at right, arched front door visible at the end of the hall, Buckman ADU SE Portland by Tweto Architecture
Main level and loft floor plans showing bedroom, kitchen, living, fireplace, and stair layout, Buckman ADU SE Portland by Tweto Architecture
Stair with painted steel railing and built-in storage and fireplace below, open living area with tall windows at right, Buckman ADU SE Portland by Tweto Architecture
Buckman ADU rear elevation with blue-green fiber cement siding, metal roof, and yellow back door, SE Portland by Tweto Architecture
Buckman ADU covered front porch with wood-plank ceiling, pendant lantern, wood bench, and arched wood front door, SE Portland by Tweto Architecture
Rear exterior of the Buckman ADU with blue-green siding, yellow back door, and a bench at the entry to the daughter's yard, SE Portland by Tweto Architecture
Kitchen range wall with green lower cabinets, cream upper cabinets, walnut countertop, and Bosch wall oven beneath an exposed wood beam, Buckman ADU SE Portland by Tweto Architecture Tile shower with grey square zellige tile, glass door, and skylight above, Buckman ADU SE Portland by Tweto Architecture
Main-floor bedroom with exposed wood beam ceiling, grey toile wallpaper, built-in green wardrobe, and windows to the side yard, Buckman ADU SE Portland by Tweto Architecture
Floor-to-ceiling built-in wardrobe with drawers in the main-floor bedroom, exposed wood beam ceiling and toile wallpaper, Buckman ADU SE Portland by Tweto Architecture
Loft bedroom with sloped ceiling, skylights, painted steel railing at the landing, and view down to the entry and built-in shelves below, Buckman ADU SE Portland by Tweto Architecture
Loft bedroom with floor-to-ceiling green built-in wardrobe, sloped ceiling, and open door to the loft bathroom, Buckman ADU SE Portland by Tweto Architecture
Next Project → All Projects

Considering a project?

We usually start with a conversation to see if it's the right fit. If it seems right, we'll arrange a visit to your home or property to learn more.

Get in Touch