Overview

Cindergate is a ground-up replacement residence planned for an improved Phoenix lot where a prior home was lost and the site is being rebuilt with utilities already present. The design centers on resizing and re-scaling an existing client floor plan concept into a code-aware, permit-ready primary home, while accounting for an additional detached ADU on the same property. A key driver is footprint reduction to satisfy setbacks and protect usable backyard space without losing the core layout intent.

Client Type

Cindergate was envisioned for homeowners rebuilding on an existing residential lot who want to move quickly from concept to a buildable plan set, while keeping costs and scope controlled during early decision-making. The project fits clients working closely with a general contractor to confirm engineering and foundation reuse feasibility, and who benefit from an orderly phased drafting approach (floor plan first, then full set). It is ideal for owners who want a main home plus an ADU and need clear site-fit solutions before committing to final construction pricing.

Project Scope

The Cindergate project includes architectural redrafting and plan-set development for a new primary residence plus a detached ADU concept, built from a client-provided floor plan and resized for setback compliance. The architectural program includes:
• Import and rebuild of the client floor plan into CAD, fully to scale with accurate dimensions and square footage verification
• Primary home footprint reductions (approximately 5 feet in width plus additional length reduction) to satisfy setbacks and preserve rear yard usability
• First-pass revised floor plan deliverable for review, including preliminary square footage, on an accelerated 1–2 week drafting phase
• Full architectural plan set production including cover, site plan, floor plans, dimension plans, elevations, roof plan, foundation plan approach, cross sections, and coordinated MEP layouts
• ADU placement shown on the site plan at a conceptual or finalized level depending on phase and available site and foundation confirmations

Challenges Addressed

The design had to adapt an existing concept to real site constraints while keeping the project flexible pending contractor confirmation. Key considerations included:
• Shrinking the footprint without breaking the functional room relationships of the original concept plan
• Achieving setback compliance while protecting backyard space and maintaining practical building proportions
• Coordinating an ADU on the same lot without complicating the primary home’s permitting pathway
• Accounting for partial existing foundation conditions and the decision to reuse vs replace pending evaluation
• Producing a permit-ready set that stays accurate even as final size shifts from early contract targets to final revised square footage

Goals Achieved

Cindergate delivers a clear, phased path from concept plan to permit-ready documentation on a rebuild site:
✔️ Scaled, dimensionally accurate CAD plan rebuilt from client reference materials
✔️ Footprint reduction strategy aligned to setbacks, yard usability, and code-aware site fit
✔️ Site plan framework that anticipates utilities, rebuild conditions, and ADU placement coordination
✔️ Full-sheet plan set structure ready for elevations, roof, foundation approach, sections, and MEP
✔️ Flexibility preserved for GC and engineering input on foundation reuse and structural requirements