ADU Idea Book for Mid-Century Homes - Mid-Century 1949-67 - Get Inspired

Oct 29, 2026

ADU Idea Book for Mid-Century Homes explains how accessory dwelling units can expand living options for families, relatives, and neighbors in mid-twentieth-century neighborhoods around Minneapolis and Saint Paul. It introduces ADUs as small homes with independent entrance, kitchen, and bathroom, and discusses their roles in multigenerational living, downsizing, rental income, and aging-in-place. The book then frames mid-century housing history and the rationale behind local planning support.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLifestyle

FormatPDF

Pages54

Reading Time1 h 23 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Mid-Century Housing History

ADU Types

Design Considerations

Summary of Case Studies

ADU Case Study A

ADU Case Study B

ADU Case Study C

ADU Case Study D

ADU Case Study E

ADU Case Study F

Conclusion

Endnotes

References

Appendix

Glossary

Additional Resources

Credits

ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT Idea Book MID-CENTURY 1949-67 FOR built between HOMES Illuminating solutions. Sparking change. FHFUND.ORG Table of Contents Introduction................................................................. 3 Mid-Century Housing History ......................................4 ADU Types ................................................................... 7 Design Considerations .................................................8 Architectural Symbols..................................................8 Summary of Case Studies ............................................9 ADU Case Study A...................................................... 10 ADU Case Study B ...................................................... 16 ADU Case Study C ...................................................... 22 ADU Case Study D......................................................28 ADU Case Study E ......................................................35 ADU Case Study F ......................................................41 Conclusion .................................................................47 Endnotes ...................................................................48 References .................................................................49 Appendix ...................................................................50 Glossary ..................................................................... 51 Additional Resources .................................................52 Credits ....................................................................... 53 Get Inspired ADUS FOR MID-CENTURY HOMES Do you own a home built in the mid-twentieth century? Have you ever wished that your mid-century home had more space and capacity to house your family, relatives, or neighbors? Do you love your neighborhood but have concerns about your home’s ability to meet your needs as you get older? Adding an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) to your home could be a great option for you, your home, and your community. An ADU—also known as a granny flat, mother-in-lawsuite, or carriage house—is a small unit with its own entrance, kitchen, and bathroom positioned on ~~ ~~~~t~~he same lot as the larger primary house. ADUshave historically existed in the Twin Cities region as flexible housing options that help families and communities meet their housing needs. They are great options for families who are interested in housing a relative, generating rental income, downsizing in retirement, and/or aging-in-place. ADUs are also good for communities, as they tend to provide affordable private rental options in established neighborhoods, are environmentally friendly, and add value to existing properties. ADUs can help communities meet growing demand for both multigenerational living options and housing for smaller (1-2 person) households. While municipalities across the Twin Cities region have adopted formal policies allowing ADUs in recent years, ADUs remain scarce in the mid-century neighborhoods that surround Minneapolis and Saint Paul. Without existing models, it may be difficult to envision how an ADU would fit into your property and your mid-century neighborhood. The purpose of this book is to help you visualize a tangible, feasible ADU that meets your family’s needs and provides a new home in your community. This Idea Book is organized in three sections: 01 Learn about your neighborhood’s history. Explore how mid-century neighborhoods were developed to address some of the same challenges that the Twin Cities region experiences today. 02 Review the basics of ADU planning. Learn about different ADU types, consider key design questions,and get acquainted with architectural graphics. 03 Get inspired. Take a look at six sample ADU plans—including architectural drawings and cost estimations—that are compatible with the architectural style, common site condition

FAQs

What is an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) according to the book?

An ADU is a small unit with its own entrance, kitchen, and bathroom placed on the same lot as the primary house. It is also referred to as a granny flat, mother-in-lawsuite, or carriage house.

Why focus on mid-century homes in the Twin Cities?

Mid-century neighborhoods around Minneapolis and Saint Paul often lack existing ADU models, making it harder to picture how an ADU could fit property and neighborhood character. The book aims to make a feasible ADU easier to visualize and plan.

How is the book organized to support ADU planning?

The book uses three sections: neighborhood history, ADU planning basics (types, design questions, and architectural graphics), and inspiration through six sample ADU plans with drawings and cost estimations.

Oct 29, 2026

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