The Switchback is the smallest design in the library to include a true second story. A switchback stair — half a flight, a landing, then a second half flight — makes the journey upstairs feel architectural without consuming the whole footprint. The downstairs is a continuous live/work room with a small deck off the back; the upstairs holds a private bedroom, full bath, and reading loft.

Who it's for

Property owners who want the spatial generosity of a real two-story ADU but aren't ready to commit to a second bedroom. The Switchback is the right scale for a long-term rental, a creative studio with sleeping space, or a multi-generational guest house.

What you can change

The deck is dimensionally optional — it can shrink to a small landing or grow to a full outdoor room without affecting the structural design. The stair itself is the main spatial feature and the toolkit includes drawings for both a straight-run and a U-shaped variation.