Project: Dempsey ADU
Architecture: Material Design Build
Location: Princeton, New Jersey, United States
Area: 900 ft2
Year: 2022
Photo Credits: Material Design Build
Located in the leafy North Princeton neighborhood, Dempsey ADU is a 900-square-foot accessory dwelling unit designed for a couple ready to age in place. The owners chose to downsize and hand over their main house to their daughter while remaining on the same property. Material Design Build delivered a compact yet highly functional home that blends seamlessly with the existing residence and gardens.
Downsizing with Style and Function
The brief called for a low-maintenance exterior, a spacious kitchen, and unique personal touches, such as a Scandinavian-style built-in daybed in the kitchen. The design had to meet the strict requirements of Princeton’s zoning ordinances while providing a comfortable and inviting living space. The solution—a one-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bath cottage—connects to the existing garage via a breezeway that also frames the approach to the main house and offers a sheltered spot for evening relaxation.
A Kitchen at the Heart of the Home
Within the cottage’s compact footprint, the kitchen serves as both a functional workspace and a social hub. Wall-to-ceiling cabinetry stores all the tools of one of the owners, a retired pastry chef, while carefully placed windows bathe the interior in natural light. The space is enhanced by a lightly stained pine ceiling, which adds warmth and texture, contrasting with painted walls and cork flooring.
Built for Comfort and Efficiency
Despite its modest size, Dempsey ADU incorporates high-performance construction throughout. A super-insulated envelope and a triple-pane front door—described by the owners as closing “like a bank vault”—ensure exceptional thermal comfort and energy efficiency. Exterior materials were selected for durability and the ability to age gracefully alongside the main house, ensuring minimal upkeep over the years.
A Thoughtful Approach to Aging in Place
By trading the demands of a larger home for a carefully designed, efficient living space, the owners have gained more time for what they enjoy most. Dempsey ADU demonstrates how a well-planned accessory dwelling unit can support aging in place, blending comfort, sustainability, and thoughtful design in a way that enriches both daily living and long-term independence.
