B-008 | TJ ADU
Tijuana, B.C 2023

The Tijuana Additional Dwelling Unit (ADU) was conceived as a compact infill housing prototype located in the heart of the city, within Colonia Cacho, Col. Madero (Cacho), Tijuana, B.C. The project explores the potential of the ADU model—still relatively uncommon in the city—as a flexible strategy for residential densification within established neighborhoods.

Commissioned by a client seeking to maximize the underutilized space of their parents’ property, the project takes advantage of a 53 m² (8 × 8 m) portion of the site with street frontage and secondary rear access. The proposal responds to the need for additional housing while allowing the existing homeowners to remain in their original residence.

The project is conceived as a sustainable urban infill strategy, supporting gradual neighborhood growth while providing flexibility for future generations and changing family structures. Its compact footprint and adaptable program allow the property to evolve over time without requiring major alterations to the existing residence.

Organized across three levels, the first floor accommodates a garage and storage area, with capacity for two vehicles and the potential for future shared use. The second level contains the living room, kitchen, and a half bathroom, with strategically located services that allow the floor to be adapted and potentially separated in the future.

The third level includes two bedrooms, each with its own bathroom, similarly designed to allow for future subdivision into independent living units. The rooftop features a deck terrace conceived as a shared social space, extending the limited footprint into an additional outdoor area.

The project proposes the ADU not simply as an accessory dwelling, but as a flexible urban housing model capable of adapting to family, economic, and demographic changes over time.