The Prince House ADU

The Prince House ADU, designed by Ten Seventy Architecture, is located in San Diego, California, on a highly constrained urban site. The project responds to the compact lot, measuring just 21 by 13.5 feet, by prioritizing function and efficient space planning. The client’s brief and tight site prompted a reverse floor plan: the bedroom and bathroom are positioned on the ground level, opening onto a private courtyard at the rear, while the living room and kitchen occupy the upper floor to capture unobstructed views toward the distant Coronado Bridge. The design avoids a street-facing orientation due to parking proximity and road noise, instead organizing openings to the rear and placing high windows on the front facade that frame treetops and overhead airplane flight paths. A vaulted ceiling with exposed joists enhances the sense of space in the upper living area, while the shed roof pitches from front to back, presenting a subtle profile to the street. Rainwater is managed through a single gutter system draining to an olive tree in the front yard. Solar panels contribute to energy efficiency. A mural by artist Mario Torero, commemorating musician Prince, is displayed at the front, preserving local cultural heritage and referencing the unit's name.