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Fine Homebuilding: The Magazine

Call for Entries: In-laws, outlaws and mothers-in-law

FHB_WEB, member

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Berkeley architect John Hopkins' client wanted to build a house for her mother in her own backyard. No, this isn't the premise for a network-TV sitcom; it was a real-life proposal to allow a grandmother to live close to her grandchildren but still have her own personal space.

Charles Miller

Although zoning requirements restricted the cottage to 540 sq. ft. and the site included a California live oak tree that had to be protected, Hopkins was able to create a home that's both compact and comfortable.

Charles MIller

The floor plan eliminates wasted space and consolidates many functions into as few rooms as possible. Maximizing the ceiling height takes the onus off a small space, and the use of ceiling-height windows and doors adds to the expansive feeling.

Charles Miller

Outside, meanwhile, a large deck nearly doubles the living space.

Charles Miller

Berkeley architect John Hopkins' client wanted to build a house for her mother in her own backyard. No, this isn't the premise for a network-TV sitcom; it was a real-life proposal to allow a grandmother to live close to her grandchildren but still have her own personal space.

Photo: Charles Miller

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The "baby boomers" aren't getting any younger, and nowadays going back to the nest has taken on a whole new meaning: heading to their kids’ homes.

To document that phenomenon, we're working on a new book about "mother-in-law" units and would like to hear about any that you've designed, constructed, or owned for your aging parents.

These dwellings might be basement, garage or attic conversions; bump-outs; carve-outs; or separate, stand-alone structures. The units we’re seeking should be modestly sized—from 250 to 900 sq. ft.—but size is less important than the space's livability, ingenuity, and level of craftsmanship.

WATCH THE VIDEOS, READ THE STORY: If you are interested in the above home, watch these video tours where architect John Hopkins explains how he used the site's restrictions to his advantage, and homeowner Billie McKig guides you through the features she loves most. You might also be interested in the story of this home, profiled in The Big Little Backyard House, written by John Hopkins and featured in Fine Homebuilding (Houses 187, pp.86-89).

If you are interested, please send us a few photos (don't worry if they're not professionally shot) and a brief description of why your unit would interest our readers. E-mail submissions to inlaws@taunton.com (7MB max. file size).

We're also happy to review CDs or hard copies of your materials if you don’t have email. Send them to IN-LAWS, PO Box 835, Point Reyes Station CA 94956.

The deadline for entries is June 1, 2009. And just to be clear because we are running another contest with prizes: This is a call for entries for a yet unpublished book, and is not affiliated with a sponsor, nor will we be giving away any prizes to entrants (although I have some hats and pencils if you ask nicely).

And please, please, please, DO NOT under any circumstances send us any mothers-in- law. We have more than we need and they are really hard to get out of the PO Box.

Thanks so much,

Jean Paul Vellotti
Managing Editor
FineHomebuilding.com

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Comments (1)

jenniferljl writes: Excellent topic! Thank you for keeping your finger on the pulse.
Posted: 1:44 am on April 14th

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