Accessory dwelling units by award-winning architects.
Second Suite is an offering from the team at Christopher Strom Architects.
Learn about creating your own custom ADU in the Twin Cities.
What are ADUs?
An ADU, or “Second Suite,” is a permanent secondary residence on a city lot with a dedicated kitchen and bathroom.
Legally, these are referred to as an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) and they come in several different forms. ADU's are often referred to by an assortment of names, including granny flat, mother-in-law suite, in-law suite, above-garage apartment and carriage house.
Who are ADUs for?
ADUs are for grandparents, adult children, rental income… or just more space for your home office or studio
Our clients use their ADUs for various purposes, including:
A short-term rental property
A home for an aging parent
A fun family room and occasional guest suite
An empty-nesters residence while he rents his main home
Next: Why are ADUs important?
Why are ADUs important?
A Second Suite/ADU allows city residents to expand without increasing the mass of the primary residence.
It can also allow for multi-generational living while maintaining independence and privacy from the primary home. Families can share resources, provide care-giving, and enjoy spending time together.
ADUs are a cost-effective alternative to an apartment or even an assisted living facility.
What cities in the metro allow ADUs?
Minneapolis legalized ADUs on December 5th, 2014, when the Minneapolis City Council approved an amended zoning code to allow for “Accessory Dwelling Units.” In fact, Chris Strom, the founder and principal architect at Second Suite, has been an advisor to city zoning staff for recent Minneapolis residential code changes including the adoption of the Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance.
In St. Paul, the City Council voted October 17th, 2018 to allow Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) on single family lots throughout the city.
St. Louis Park also allows ADUs, as of November 13th, 2020.
Northfield, Richfield, Roseville, and Crystal, Minnesota all allow ADUs, as well.
Other cities may have different regulations, but nation-wide trends in zoning are becoming more flexible in this regard.
What are the design options?
Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are custom-designed for your location by Christopher Strom Architects.
Homeowners may decide to “build-to-blend” with the character of their existing home, or take things in another direction and add a pleasing modern counterpoint to their yard.
To find inspiration for your own ADU, view our completed projects, including Compact Living, Side Street Suite, Family Suite, and the GreenHouse.
How much does a Second Suite detached ADU cost?
This is a difficult question to answer without knowing the specifics of your project. ADU’s have the same budget realities as any new home… a second home in your backyard.
Example: Detached ADU’s in Minneapolis are limited to 1300-1600 square feet, depending on lot size. Homeowners should budget about $500 per square foot, including garage space, for construction costs. Additional costs include design fees, surveying and utility upgrades.
Specific factors will influence the total cost, including: availability of contractors, quality of finishes and appliances, quality of the soil, or special factors requiring variances for city approval. We address potential costs with you before beginning your project.
Next: How do I get an ADU?
How long does it take to design and build a Second Suite detached ADU?
A time lapse of GreenHouse, our recent award-winning ADU
This is also a difficult question to answer without knowing the specifics of your project. Weather, for one, is especially hard to predict!
For a new, detached ADU in Minneapolis, MN, here are some rough guesstimates based on experience:
| survey | 2-4 weeks |
|---|---|
| design & documentation | 8-16 weeks |
| permit approval | 4-8 weeks |
| construction | 16-32 weeks |
| total | 6-12 months |
How do I get an ADU?
An architect-led code review can determine if an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) is possible for your property.
Chris Strom, the founder and principal architect at Christopher Strom Architects, has 15 years of architectural experience and is very familiar with Minneapolis Residential Zoning Code; in fact, he has been an advisor to city zoning staff for recent Minneapolis residential code changes including the adoption of the Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance.
Chris is a three-time “BLEND Award” winner and seven of his projects have received the AIA Minnesota/ Star Tribune "Homes of the Month" award. Chris was chosen as the 2014 “Emerging Talent” and the 2016 “Young Architect Award” by the American Institute of Architects–Minnesota for his exceptional leadership and significant contributions to the profession.
Who is the team at Second Suite?
Second Suite is an offering from the team at Christopher Strom Architects. Chris Strom, the founder and principal architect of CSA, has been called the Twin City’s “ADU Guru.” He has 15 years of architectural experience and is very familiar with Minneapolis Residential Zoning Code; in fact, he has been an advisor to city zoning staff for recent Minneapolis residential code changes including the adoption of the Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance.
The team at CSA is comprised of 7 architects and designers (and 1 dog). Together, the team has designed many award-winning ADUs. These awards include the Star Tribune Home of the Month for October 2020, Star Tribune Home of the Month for December 2019, Star Tribune Home of the Month for January 2018, and Best Contemporary Project in the Marvin Architects Challenge. The ADUs have been featured in publications including the 150 Best Tiny Space Ideas book, Midwest Home magazine, and Architecture MN.
While we enjoy winning awards, that is not our goal. Our goal is to design a Second Suite which best serves the needs of you and your family.
