BURBANK ABOVE GARAGE ADU

500 SQ FT | STUDIO | 1 BATH

500 Sq Ft ADU Above a Garage
ADU Builder in Burbank

Studio | 1 BATH

Key Features:

16' linear kitchen
- 7.5' x 4' island
- Washer/dryer combo and dishwasher under counter
- 30" undermount stainless steel sink
- 36" stove
- Black plumbing features and wraparound black flute detail for contrast
- Wine fridge, trash pullout, and microwave built under island countertop
- LED lighting under cabinets and throughout the rest of the unit
10' x 5' bathroom
- Recessed medicine cabinet with LED lighting
- 42" floating vanity with touch to open cabinets
- Japanese toilet
- Frameless shower glass
- Fully tiled shower
- Shower niche with stone shelf also used in kitchen for consistency and cost savings
- Blue penny tiles for flooring
Sleeping nook / Living space
- Centerpiece with black fluting and white oak topper
- Rotating and rising tv controlled by iPad
- Surround sound speakers
- 3" mud in lights
- Custom built headboard with black fluting with back lit LED lighting
- Floating nightstands
2-car garage
- Fully-insulated aluminum garage door with one-way glass
- Side opening garage door for a cleaner ceiling
- Black painted ceiling with honeycomb LED lighting
- PRX gym equipment
- Surround sound speakers
- Butcher block with custom shelving for handywork
- Floor-to-ceiling cabinetry
- Slatwall for extra storage

This Burbank ADU project wasn't a want. This was a NEED... for leisure! Nestled in a neighborhood in Burbank, Neo Builders was tasked with building a brand new garage and 500 sq ft studio ADU on top. But, this was no ordinary above garage ADU. This homeowner wanted to go all out of tech, flexibility, appliances, finishes and more, making this one of the most unique ADU projects on the market. Let's take a deep dive.

Inside the Living Space: Fully Tech-ed Out

Once you step inside the ADU, it’s clear this space was designed to work hard without feeling cramped. The 500 sq ft layout smartly blurs the line between living, sleeping, and entertaining without ever feeling like you’re doing all three in the same room.

The heart of the unit is the open living area paired with a sleeping nook, and the real showstopper sits right between them: a rotating, rising TV that physically separates the two spaces. With the tap of an iPad, the TV pivots to face the living room or the bed, instantly transforming how the space functions. It’s part room divider, part tech flex, and completely intentional. The centerpiece itself features black fluting with a white oak topper, tying into the rest of the design while anchoring the room visually.

Surround sound speakers and discreet 3” mud-in lights keep everything feeling elevated but uncluttered, while LED lighting throughout the unit adds warmth and depth, especially at night.

On the sleeping side, the custom-built headboard continues the black fluted detail and is softly backlit with integrated LEDs, creating a cozy, hotel-like feel. Floating nightstands keep the floor clear, which helps the nook feel more open and intentional rather than tucked away.

Downstairs: The ADU Garage Gym That’s Anything but Ordinary

The garage in this project isn’t an afterthought, it’s a destination. Designed as a fully usable extension of the home, this two-car garage balances function, aesthetics, and flexibility in a way you rarely see.

The fully insulated aluminum garage door features one-way glass, allowing natural light to flood the space while maintaining privacy. A side-opening garage door system keeps the ceiling clean and uncluttered, which pairs perfectly with the black-painted ceiling and dramatic honeycomb LED lighting. The result feels more like a high-end studio than a traditional garage.

This space pulls double duty as a home gym and workshop. PRX gym equipment integrates seamlessly without overwhelming the room, while surround sound speakers make workouts (or projects) feel immersive. For hands-on tasks, a butcher block work surface with custom shelving provides a dedicated area for handywork, while floor-to-ceiling cabinetry and slatwall storage keep everything organized and out of sight when needed.

Still More to Come

Now that the living space is completed, these homeowners can focus on the cherry on top: a pool. The main purpose of this project was for the family to have a space for entertaining guests and to act as a home away from home (kind of). Within the next couple of months, they'll get started on excavating and planning the pool that will be placed right next to the unit.