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Writer's pictureChen Zhou

A Family Compound: Creating Dream Spaces for Adult Children in Silicon Valley

About one in three American adults aged between 18 and 34 stays with their parents, says the U.S. Census Bureau. As inflation goes up, it’s often a challenge for millennials and gen-z to be able to afford living in their native Bay Area neighborhoods.


For parents like Hannah and David, setting up a home for their adult-aged child Lily is even harder. Lily grew up with special needs and has to continue with therapy into adulthood. 


They quickly realized that an accessory dwelling unit is a great way to create an independent living space for Lily, and at the same time keeping her close so that she can be taken care of when needed.


They quickly realized that accessory dwelling unit is a great way to create an independent living space for Lily, and at the same time keeping her close so that she can be taken care of when needed.

Beyond a Bedroom: Crafting an Environment of Growth for Lily


Lily, who is 20 years old, experiences the world in her own unique way. Her trainer emphasized the importance of an independent living space tailored to her sensory and developmental needs and can also serve a place for her to get treatment and therapy. Hannah and David realized their current home couldn’t support such a design.


They thought of a quiet independent unit with a curbless spa-like shower, and a highly sound-proofed space that blocks noises. This would be a "calm-down" zone for when Lily felt overstimulated.


They thought of a quiet independent unit with a curbless spa-like shower, and a highly sound-proofed space that blocks noises. This would be a "calm-down" zone for when Lily felt overstimulated.



A spacious outdoor area was also part of their plan. It would offer Lily a place to explore her senses freely. With each thoughtful choice, Hannah and David aimed to create a sanctuary for Lily’s comfort and safety.


They decided to build a 2-bedroom ADU that can be a long-term housing solution for Lily, which allows her to not only live comfortably, but also get treatments from her therapist. Their architect quickly came up with a design that allows them to keep the yard by attaching the ADU to the main house.




Challenge: Is it possible to Live in the Main House while building the attached ADU?


After extensive research, they identified a few contractors who had experience with attached ADU, but everyone said the family can no longer live on the property and need to find housing elsewhere during construction. The reason is that the original electrical panel is on a wall that’s going to be opened and the electrical panel needs to be relocated to a new wall.  

After extensive research, they identified a few contractors who had experience with attached ADU, but everyone said the family can no longer live on the property and need to find housing elsewhere during construction. 

This clearly would add additional cost to the project as the whole family would have to find temporary housing somewhere else, not knowing how long the project would take. In addition, the quotes they got felt painfully out of reach, making the couple wonder if they could ever afford a safe, nurturing environment for their daughter. 


The project got stuck, Hannah and David faced uncertainty about whether their vision for Lily’s living space would ever become a reality.


A Glimmer of Hope: Discovering VitalizeBuild


Finally, Hannah got introduced to VitalizeBuild Construction by the architect and was relieved to learn that there’s a way to stay in the house after all! VitalizeBuild team proposed that instead of relocating the electrical panel to the new wall, they can relocate the electrical panel to an old wall. That way, the main house would have continuous electricity during construction and the family could stay in the house and watch the ADU being built!


VitalizeBuild team proactively reached out to the architect to propose the change in the architectural plan. The couple were impressed by VitalizeBuild’s customer-centric approach to new constructions and ADUs.


VitalizeBuild team proactively reached out to the architect to propose the change in the architectural plan. The couple were impressed by VitalizeBuild’s customer-centric approach to new constructions and ADUs.

The team promised to complete the construction in their committed time, ensuring an on-budget, delay and disruption-free experience. 


The Dream Space Comes to Life with VitalizeBuild


Over the 5-month construction period, the family lived right on the property and can watch the progress every day. They are so glad that the final  space is exactly what they wanted for Lily. Nothing gives them more joy than seeing Lily’s happy face when she’s in the new ADU!




With VitalizeBuild’s customer-centric construction services, their vision became reality. The team collaborated with the architect, expertly handled every detail, ensuring seamless pre-construction and construction process, all backed by exceptional customer service.


With VitalizeBuild’s customer-centric construction services, their vision became reality. The team collaborated with the architect, expertly handled every detail, ensuring seamless pre-construction and construction process, all backed by exceptional customer service.

Reflecting on their journey, Hannah and David felt they made the right decision at the right time choosing VitalizeBuild and created a safe place where Lily could thrive, turning their dreams into a stunning reality.


Reach out to VitalizeBuild to design and build inclusive spaces from concept to creation!




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