Ryan McDonough

Founder, Sometime Artist

CFO and co-founder @Accompany, acquired by @Cisco. Turnaround CFO @Ning, sold to Glam Media. Former seed VC. McKinsey trained. @Wharton School and @Haas School of Business.

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ADU Research

I’ve always loved the idea of off-site construction. Below are a few of the companies I’ve been tracking over the last few years. My focus is on potential age-in-place designs, so I tend to avoid loft options. 

DESIGN

Backyard ADUs/Guest House

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Tomu

While primarily designed for the hospitality market, Tomu does offer these for residential use. The Villa is a terrific age in place or guest home option for adding room on your property.


I got fairly far down the line looking at Tomu as an option for an aging relative before they passed. It was to be placed by the pool for an amazing view while family caretakers were going to move into the main house. 

Location: Hagerstown, Maryland
MODEL OPTIONS (SEPt 2024)

STUDIO VILLA

Starting at $145,000

506 Sq Ft (22’ x 23’)
Beds: 0 – Baths: 1

 

1-BEDROOM VILLA

Starting at $235,000 USD

874 Sq Ft (38’ x 23’)
Beds: 1 – Baths: 1.5

 

2-BEDROOM VILLA

Starting at $325,000

1380 Sq Ft (60’ x 23’)
Beds: 2 – Baths: 2.5

CONSTRUCTION

Villa installation via 2 completed halves (with the wet half and dry half merged in the living space). 8-9 support pillars.

Visit Tomu
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Manta North

The simplicity of the design and the cleanliness of being able to see through the bedroom makes these look so much more expansive. Offers a few different interior configurations.

MODEL OPTIONS (SEPt 2024)

SLOPE & RAY

Starting at $249,000

Exterior: 13’ x 40’

Visit Manta North
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Abodu

The slanted roof gives some interesting visual interest. In addition, for the Adobu Two, I like how the Primary keeps the ensuite, while the second works wells as a jack/jill for guests to use.  

 

Offers 4 types, from 340 sq. ft. to 800 sq. ft.

 

A beautiful collab with Dwell can also be found on the site. 

Location: Redwood CIty, Ca
MODEL OPTIONS (SEPt 2024)

Abodu Studio
$228,800

 

Abodu One
$268,800

 

Abodu Two (pictured)
$312,800

800 sq ft

Building: 27’-6” W x 29′ D x 13’-5” H

Yard required: 35′-6″ W x 43′-0″ D

 

Abodu Two+
$392,800

CONSTRUCTION

Delivered as a completed unit. Demos can be seen in Redwood City.

Visit Abodu
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Cerca Homes: TAL

Most of the actual builds I see from Cerca are for their studio/backyard offices (see below). The renders of the TAL are fantastic and would love this as a guesthouse in an area with a lovely view.

 

The wrap around roof deck with the vaulted windows next to the deck space is a fantastic idea. 

Location: California
MODEL OPTIONS (SEPt 2024)

TAL 600
Not specified.

Huge number of different design options based on square footage and footprint needs.

CONSTRUCTION

Onsite assembly.

Visit Cerca
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Samara

Samara is on a mission to transform the way we live, starting with the home. The company’s first product, Backyard, is a high-quality accessory dwelling unit (ADU) that easily adds additional living space to your property. Backyard is designed to be flexible, giving homeowners more room for whatever they need—be it an in-law suite, home office, or rental unit. Samara uniquely manages Backyard from concept to completion, handling everything from product design and manufacturing to permitting, delivery, and installation.

 

Started by CEO Mike McNamara and Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia, Samara is backed by Airbnb, Thrive Capital, 8VC and other leading corporate and venture investors. The company is headquartered in Redwood City, CA and owns a manufacturing facility in Mexicali, MX.

Location: California
MODEL OPTIONS (SEPt 2024)

Backyard XL 10
Small living, supersized.
950 sq. ft. | 2 bedrooms | 2 baths
Starting at $449,000

 

Backyard XL 8
Room to roam, and then some.
800 sq. ft. | 2 bedrooms | 2 baths
Starting at $414,000

 

Two bedroom
Two bedrooms. Too perfect.
690 sq. ft. | 2 bedrooms | 1 bath
Starting at $324,000

 

One bedroom
The one and only for everything.
540 sq. ft. | 1 bedroom | 1 bath
Starting at $289,000

 

Studio
Way small. Yay big.
420 sq. ft. | 1 bath
Starting at $274,000

Visit Samara

Backyard Office

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Autonomous AI

My neighbor has this Autonomous Pod and enjoys it as his home office. Size and lack of permitting makes it easy to put in a corner of the yard, right by the setbacks.

Location: Riverside, California
MODEL OPTIONS (SEPt 2024)

WORKPOD

Starting at $18,000
102 sq. ft.
Permit-free
Construction in 7 days

Visit Autonomous
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Cerca

Cerca has been installing these beautiful sheds all over California, with a range of sizes and styles. Great home office, pool house options.

Location: California
MODEL OPTIONS (SEPt 2024)

Sela Mini (80 sqft)
Starting at $34,900

 

Evan (119 sqft)
Starting at $38,900

 

A-Frame (120 sqft)
Starting at $22,900

 

Sela (120 sqft)
Starting at $38,900

 

Sela Plus (120 sqft)
Starting at $41,900

 

Alon (240 sqft)
Starting at $114,900

 

Evan Plus (240 sqft)
Starting at $77,900

Visit Cerca Homes

Other ADU Links

https://www.dwell.com/article/kodasema-prefab-tiny-homes-united-states-launch-c92a70ee

https://www.livemodal.com/

https://urbanoutbuildings.com/

https://www.dvele.com/blu-homes/modern-modular-homes

https://www.the-nokken.com/nkn-18

https://buildcover.com/

https://www.dwell.com/amp/article/my-cabin-scandinavian-inspired-tiny-prefab-cabins-d10b9f39

https://www.thebunkie.com/

 

If you are interested in the space, I think Kerry Tarnow does a terrific job looking at the whole space, across various price points. https://www.youtube.com/@KerryTarnow

Ryan McDonough

Artist & Tinkerer

Retired CFO & co-founder of Accompany, a startup acquired by Cisco Systems in 2018. Former Ning CFO, sold to Glam Media. McKinsey trained, Wharton & Haas School of Business educated.

Bio Accompany (Acq. by Cisco)

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