The finished ADU is a vibrant coral-pink structure with a vaulted window that pokes out playfully. It sits behind a fence, hidden from the street - yet it draws constant attention. "You get a lot of looks," Saxman said. Neighbors and passersby stop to stare at the funky little building that stands out in "typical LA" surroundings.
Inside, the kitchen, living area, and bedroom flow together seamlessly. The skylight and large windows make the 350-square-foot space feel airy and open. The architects stuck to their $100,000 budget, which Marks says would be impossible to repeat today due to post-pandemic inflation.
Since completion, the guest house has been "booked solid" on Airbnb. It proves that a tiny home, when designed with care, can be a comfortable long-term living space. "If you have just the right shaping of that space and the right quality of light and air, people can inhabit one of these long-term," Marks said. What started as a murder shed is now a beloved hideaway - and a testament to what young architects can do with vision, trust, and a little bit of pink paint.
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