In Austin, Texas, a backyard has gained a compact new home designed with simplicity in mind. The project, created by Matt Garcia Design, takes the form of a modern ADU, also known as a guest house.
The structure measures just 540 square feet, yet careful planning allows the small footprint to feel open and usable. Built with a glass-and-limestone structure, the design pairs large glass surfaces with locally sourced Texas limestone, creating a clean and durable exterior.
The designers also worked around the landscape, preserving many of the mature oak trees that already occupied the site. The result is a small house placed lightly within the yard.
A Deck and Glass Entry
Outside, an ipe wood deck wraps around the house, creating an outdoor platform that extends the living space. The warm tone of the wood contrasts with the glass walls and limestone, giving the small structure a balanced appearance. A glass door leads directly into the interior, where floor-to-ceiling glass and nine-foot ceilings help the rooms feel larger than the modest footprint suggests.
The use of glass allows light to move freely through the house during the day while framing views of the surrounding yard and oak trees.
A Bright Kitchen With Skylights
Inside the guest house, the kitchen sits just beyond the entry. White walls and cabinets create a clean backdrop, while rift-sawn white oak floors add warmth underfoot. Blackened steel accents introduce contrast and quiet structure to the room.
Two skylights sit above the kitchen, helping keep the space bright throughout the day. The backsplash is composed of two precisely aligned slabs of Kenya Black marble, paired with a minimalist black shelf. Steel details run through the entry and kitchen floor and continue as a shelf in the kitchen.
Despite its size, the kitchen includes a full set of integrated appliances. A 15-inch Wolf cooktop, a Miele dishwasher drawer, and a Sub-Zero refrigerator drawer fit neatly beneath the Caesarstone countertop, creating a compact but fully functional workspace.
Dining, Living, and a Hidden Bed
Next to the kitchen sits a small dining area and living room. The dining table is tucked into a corner so that the Murphy bed built into custom cabinetry can fold down when needed. When the bed is folded up, the space returns to a living area.
Blinds can be lowered across the windows to create a private sleeping area at night. The layout allows the compact house to shift easily between day and evening uses.
Storage and a Bright Bathroom
At the opposite end of the interior, a built-in dresser sits beneath a window, offering storage without taking up additional floor space.
Nearby, a doorway leads to the bathroom. Inside, the palette stays simple and bright. The floating vanity is made from Caesarstone, and the shower is finished with bright white three-by-twelve-inch ceramic tiles.
A skylight above brings in natural light during the day, while a floor-to-ceiling glass screen separates the shower area, keeping the room open and easy to maintain.
The Verdi Place ADU shows how careful planning can turn a modest footprint into a comfortable living space. With skylights, floor-to-ceiling glass, and compact design choices, the small house manages to include everything needed for everyday living.