ADU Living
Gentle density, real impact. ADUs add housing within existing infrastructure — no new roads, no new utilities, no new commutes.
ADUs typically range from 400 to 1,200 square feet — significantly smaller than the average new American home (2,300 sq ft). That size difference translates directly into lower embodied carbon: less concrete, less lumber, less steel, less energy to heat and cool. Studies estimate ADUs produce 50–70% less embodied carbon than comparable new construction.
When a new subdivision goes up on the edge of a city, it needs roads, water lines, sewer connections, power grid extensions, and new school capacity. An ADU in an existing neighborhood uses all of those systems that already exist. The marginal impact on infrastructure is minimal while the housing impact is real.
This is what urban planners mean by “gentle density” — adding housing within the existing fabric of a neighborhood rather than building outward. ADUs preserve neighborhood character while increasing housing supply.
Modern ADUs are built to current energy codes, which are significantly more stringent than those that governed the main house they sit behind. This means better insulation, tighter envelopes, high-performance windows, and often solar-ready or all-electric designs. In many cases, an ADU is the most energy-efficient structure on the property.
ADUs are built in established neighborhoods — places with existing transit, walkable streets, and nearby services. Residents of ADUs are less likely to need a car for daily errands compared to residents of suburban greenfield developments. Less driving means fewer emissions, less road wear, and more livable communities.
Strata helps you plan with real cost data from actual ADU builds.