San Antonio Architects Build Backyard Living Unit
The 932-square-foot dwelling provides a model for families managing multi-generational housing needs.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Home Renovation
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In November 2025, architects Cotton Estes and Jim Estes completed a 932-square-foot backyard living unit in San Antonio, Texas. Designed for multi-generational living, the project features a separate 228-square-foot art studio and was built to facilitate aging in place.
Why it matters
This project highlights a growing trend in home design where families build backyard dwellings to support aging in place. By creating a dedicated living space in a climate-appropriate design, families can manage multi-generational logistics while maintaining privacy for each household unit.
The completed compound includes a 932-square-foot living unit and a 228-square-foot art studio. Construction costs for these structures reached approximately $500 per square foot.
The players
Cotton Estes
The Yale-educated architect and founder of her own firm who specializes in design projects that emphasize multi-generational functionality.
Jim Estes
An experienced architect who collaborated on the design and construction of the backyard dwelling.
The details
The design utilizes a central patio to physically separate the living unit from the art studio, allowing for distinct zones of use. To provide flexibility for the residents, exterior sliding barn doors were installed to adjust privacy levels as needed. Sustainable and durable materials were selected, including stucco, thermally treated pine siding, radiata pine plywood ceilings, and recycled paper-fibre sound board walls.
Timeline
2018: Cotton Estes founded her architecture firm.
Late 2023: Construction of the backyard structures began.
November 2025: Construction of the project was completed.
Spring 2026: Jim and Darcy returned to Rhode Island.
The Home Front
This project aligns with the national rise in accessory dwelling units (ADUs) designed to accommodate aging-in-place needs for multi-generational families. It reflects a shift toward customized home footprints that allow extended families to stay together while maintaining separate living quarters.
If you are considering a backyard dwelling, consult with a licensed architect to evaluate how local zoning regulations and site-specific material choices impact your budget and long-term utility. Ensure any design for multi-generational use incorporates flexible privacy solutions like sliding doors or independent climate controls.
The takeaway
Multi-generational projects require a careful balance of shared outdoor space and private interior zones to remain functional for years. Consider how simple features like movable exterior partitions or sound-dampening wall boards can increase the longevity and comfort of a secondary living structure.
Further reading
Find more inspiration for your next project in the Home Renovation section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Star.
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