# Detached Accessory Structures Garden Cottages Add Residential Capacity in Portland By Katie Cordrey | Published 2009-11-14 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/detached-accessory-structures References: [orangesplotllc.blogspot](http://orangesplotllc.blogspot.com/2008/10/miniature-homes-at-ruths-house.html) & [thistinyhouse](http://thistinyhouse.com/2009/garden-cottages-at-ruths-house/) To facilitate increased residential density within the city limits of Portland, Oregon, home owners can add “detached accessory structures” to their residential lots under a housing ordinance provision for ‘co-housing.’ One example, the [Garden Cottages](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/longnan-garden) at Ruth’s House are two tiny homes adjacent to a larger dwelling. The bathroom uses a combo sink and toilet fixture to save space and water. A large deck acts to expand the living space to the outdoors. Eli Spevak of Orange Splot Cohousing Development of Portland, constructed the two “detached accessory structures” on a single-family residential lot next to a existing home. The cottages were part of the *2009 Build it Green!* home tour. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.1/10 - Popularity: 88% | Activity: 86% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 30% men, 70% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Detached Accessory Structures:** The growing trend of building detached structures on residential lots to increase housing capacity provides opportunities for innovative small home designs and eco-friendly construction. - **Co-housing Communities:** As more cities allow for co-housing and the development of smaller living spaces on residential lots, there is opportunity for innovative community planning and eco-conscious housing solutions. - **Tiny Homes:** The popularity of tiny homes as detached accessory structures on residential lots offers opportunities for creative home designs that maximize space and energy efficiency as well as eco-friendly building solutions. ### Where This Applies - **Construction:** The construction industry has opportunities to innovate in small home designs, eco-friendly construction materials and techniques, and community planning as detached accessory structures become more widely accepted. - **Real Estate:** Real estate professionals have opportunities to offer creative solutions and marketing strategies for detached accessory structures as a way to increase residential density in a sustainable way. - **Sustainability:** The growing trend of detached accessory structures offers opportunities for the sustainability industry to innovate in eco-friendly building materials and construction techniques, renewable energy solutions, and green infrastructure. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Intergenerational-Catered ADUs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/moongate.md) - [Garage-Converted Sustainable Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/carlsbad.md) - [Courtyard Connection Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/studioac-2.md) - [Gabled Annexe Vintage Cottages](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/solitgarreau-residence.md) - [Expanded Tiny Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ochoco.md) - [Compact Sustainable Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-cabana.md) - [Farm-Inspired Cedar-Clad Buildings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/diamond-adu.md) - [Birdhouse-Resembling Narrow Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-birdhouse.md) - [Sculptural Geometric Formed ADUs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/moongate-adu.md)