While studying architecture at UCLA for a month, we were assigned to design an ADU for the historical Monsanto House, a futuristic home constructed entirely out of plastic. It was designed as an attraction for Disneylands’ Tomorrowland, from 1957 to 1967, to show the multifaceted characteristics of plastics.

Playing along with the Monsanto House’s architectural form, I aligned the design of my accessory dwelling unit (ADU) with the themes of plasticity and the coastal California lifestyle: reminiscent of wringing water out of a bathing suit, post-surf or swim, and leaving it out to dry. One of the most prominent features of the ADU is the curves on the sides, which wrap all the way around the building. The top of the ADU takes on the form of a larger block, with detailed windows. This large, geometrical portion of the building – on top of the curves – creates a ‘squishing’ effect, as if a large hand is pressing on top of the building, with the material below compressing like a sponge. The ADU, stylistically, is like a small, communal, surf bungalow. It functions as a place to reside, but also to access aquatic or coastal sports like surfing, tanning, and swimming.