Lars Remodeling Project

Attached ADU with Golf Simulator

An unused concrete pad became an attached ADU of about 750 square feet, designed to match the original home in flooring, stucco and concrete. With a golf simulator great room, full kitchen, bath and laundry, it works as a private guest suite, an entertaining space and an everyday family room.

Accessory Dwelling Unit - ADU Carmel Valley

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Aerial view of a San Diego home with an attached stucco ADU, red clay tile roofs, a concrete driveway and canyon views beyond

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Project Highlights

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The homeowners wanted the new addition to look like part of the original house, not an add-on. To get there, the team matched the main home’s stucco color and driveway concrete, so the exterior reads as one continuous design. The old basketball-court pad beside the house is now living space that fits the home’s established style.

The great room was sized so the golf simulator fits comfortably without making the space feel like a converted garage. The full kitchen stays open to the lounge, so the room works for practice, casual entertaining or everyday family time. The team engineered a flush transition where the hitting area meets the wood floor, which removes a tripping hazard and keeps people moving freely between zones.

From the kitchen island, guests can follow a round on the simulator while snacks and drinks are prepared, which supports the homeowners’ goal of a relaxed place to entertain. The team chose a sleeper sofa instead of a Murphy bed. It saves wall space and keeps the room flexible: a lounge during the day and a comfortable spot for overnight guests at night

Looking back from the hitting area, you can see the full ADU layout: the lounge, kitchen island with beverage fridge, entry and an arched doorway to the rest of the unit. Golf-themed details add personality without taking over the room. The wood flooring matches the main house, which ties the addition to the original home.

The Project Story

Designed for Daily Life

These homeowners had an unused concrete pad beside their house, left over from an old basketball court. They wanted to turn it into something the whole family would use: a private place for overnight guests, a room for golf practice, and a spot for casual entertaining and everyday family time. They were also clear that the new space should look like part of the original home, not something added on later.

The result is an attached accessory dwelling unit of about 750 square feet, with a great room, a full kitchen, a full bathroom and a laundry area. Most of the planning went into the great room. It had to be big enough for a golf simulator without feeling like a converted garage. The team chose a sleeper sofa over a Murphy bed, which saves space and lets the room switch easily between guest suite and game room. The homeowners visited the simulator manufacturer’s showroom twice to settle on their setup, and they reviewed and signed off on the cabinet design before construction began.

To tie the addition to the existing home, the team matched the main house’s wood flooring, stucco color and driveway concrete. The same wood flooring was installed in three rooms of the main house, and the original front door was refinished so old and new read as one.

The project also had practical hurdles. The team got HOA approval, upgraded the electrical panel and worked with a dedicated simulator installer. One detail needed special engineering: the floor transition at the simulator pad was built flush with the surrounding floor so no one trips on it. A project consultant, interior designer, residential designer, product specialist and project manager worked together throughout. The homeowners met with the project manager every week during construction. A minor cooktop issue came up near the end and was fixed before closeout.

Construction started in November 2025 and passed final inspection in early July 2026. That was about eight months after groundbreaking, ahead of the ten-month contract timeline. Golf-themed details run through the finished space, adding personality without taking away from its everyday use.

The underused corner of the property is now a flexible, comfortable extension of the home. It gives guests a private place to stay and gives the family a room for practice, gatherings and downtime. The homeowners say the ADU is in constant use, which shows how well it fits the way they live.

Project at a glance

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