Full Home Remodel, Second-Story Addition & Detached ADU in Palo Alto, CA
For this Palo Alto project, Design & Construction by M&M took on a complete home transformation: a full interior remodel, a 500-square-foot second-story addition, and a separate detached ADU built from the ground up. It’s the kind of larger, multi-part project where having design, permitting, and construction under one roof makes a real difference — the whole home was reimagined as a single, coordinated plan rather than a series of disconnected upgrades.
The main home
We fully remodeled the existing home and added roughly 500 square feet of new living space with a second-story addition. Adding up rather than out is a common strategy in Palo Alto, where lot sizes and high property values make it more practical for many homeowners to expand their current home than to move. The finished interior features an open main level with a modern kitchen — light wood cabinetry, a large natural-stone island with seating, and a bright, connected living and dining area designed for everyday family life.
The detached ADU
Alongside the main home, we built a separate, detached accessory dwelling unit: a private one-bedroom, one-bathroom ADU with a full kitchen and its own living space. It functions as a fully independent living area, giving the homeowners flexibility for extended family, guests, a home office, or long-term rental potential — all while staying on the same property.
What this project involved:
A complete interior remodel of the existing home
A 500-square-foot second-story addition
A detached, ground-up ADU with one bedroom, one bathroom, and a full kitchen
Coordinated design, permitting, and construction managed as one process from concept to completion
Why this kind of project fits Palo Alto
Larger projects like this come with real planning considerations — setbacks, lot layout, utility connections, structural work for a second story, and the city’s permitting process. Combining a whole-home remodel, an addition, and a new ADU into one build is a lot to manage across separate designers, architects, and contractors. Because Design by M&M handles design and construction together, homeowners work with a single team that keeps the whole project aligned, from the first design decision through the final walkthrough.
For many Palo Alto homeowners, a project like this is a way to get significantly more space and long-term value out of a property they already own — without leaving the neighborhood they love.
Planning a home addition, ADU, or full-home renovation in Palo Alto? Contact Design by M&M to schedule a consultation and discuss what’s possible for your property.
