White lap-sided detached ADU with gray shingle roof, dark double doors on the gable end, a wood deck, and a railed porch along the side

BuildX Whitman ADU: A One-Level Two-Bedroom Backyard Home with Cathedral Ceilings

ADUs & Backyard Homes, Small Houses, Tiny House Designs, Tiny House Interiors, Tours & Features

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BuildX, a Massachusetts ADU builder, designed this 900-square-foot detached backyard home for a lot in Whitman, with two bedrooms, one and a half baths, and cathedral ceilings over the kitchen and living room. All the living space is on one level with no stairs to climb. That makes it a great fit for aging parents, adult kids, or downsizing homeowners who want to move into the backyard. Unlike many ADUs, it isn’t prefab or modular. BuildX frames it on site, the same way a traditional house is built.

A note on the pictures: BuildX has only released staged renderings of this home so far, not photos of a completed build, so that’s what you’ll see below. BuildX also lists the Whitman ADU on its weekend home-tour page (details at the end of the post), so check there for the latest before planning a visit.


A Small House with Big Curb Appeal

From the outside, the ADU looks like a classic New England cottage: white lap siding, a gray shingle roof, dormer windows, and a farmers porch with white railings. It’s designed to sit on a full foundation, with an enclosed stairway leading down to a basement for storage. Out back, the plan adds a 24-foot workshop for tools, hobbies, or projects.

Covered entry porch with white railings and steps, dormer windows above, and two bay windows on the side wall
Covered entry porch, with two bay windows on the side wall.
Rendering: BuildX / buildx.com

Cathedral Ceilings Make 900 Square Feet Feel Bigger

The living room and kitchen share one open space under a cathedral ceiling with wood beams and high windows. A tall ceiling is one of the easiest ways to make a small home feel spacious, and the high windows pull in extra daylight. The kitchen has white shaker cabinets, marble-look counters, stainless appliances, and an island with seating.

Living room with sofa and coffee table open to a white kitchen, under a cathedral ceiling with wood beams and high windows
The living room opens to the kitchen under a cathedral ceiling with wood beams and high windows.
Rendering: BuildX / buildx.com
White shaker kitchen with marble-look counters, stainless range, microwave and refrigerator, red pendant lights, and a center island
Kitchen with white shaker cabinets, stainless appliances, and a center island.
Rendering: BuildX / buildx.com

Two Bedrooms and One-Level Living

The two bedrooms are on the opposite side of the plan from the living space, which gives everyone a little privacy. Two bay window seats add cozy nooks, one in the living room and one in the smaller bedroom. The full bathroom has a 60-inch shower, and a separate half bath means guests don’t have to walk through a bedroom area. Because everything is on one floor, the home works well for anyone who wants to age in place.

Bedroom with a curtained bay window, a closet with sliding doors, and a wood-frame bed
A bedroom with a bay window and a closet.
Rendering: BuildX / buildx.com
Bedroom with dresser and wall-mounted TV, closet doors, and an open door looking through to the kitchen
The other bedroom, looking through to the kitchen.
Rendering: BuildX / buildx.com
White bathroom vanity with marble-look top, framed mirror, and a tall linen cabinet beside it
Bath vanity with a tall linen cabinet.
Rendering: BuildX / buildx.com
Floor plan showing living room, kitchen, two bedrooms, full bath, half bath, farmers porch, two window seats, and a workshop across the back
Floor plan: living and kitchen under cathedral ceilings, two bedrooms, a full bath and a half bath, the farmers porch, and the workshop across the back.
Rendering: BuildX / buildx.com

Design Details

  • Builder: BuildX, Carver and Hanover, Massachusetts
  • Location: Whitman, Massachusetts
  • Type: detached ADU, stick-built on site on a foundation
  • Size: 900 sq ft
  • Layout: 2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths (full bath with 60″ shower, plus a half bath)
  • Living: single level, no stairs; cathedral ceilings over kitchen and living room
  • Extras: farmers porch, two window seats, basement, 24-foot workshop
  • Pricing: BuildX ADU home packages range from $284,301 to $525,861 across its floor plans, plus site work priced after a lot evaluation
  • Timeline: BuildX advertises a 100-day build guarantee once permits (often 90–120+ days) are in hand

What Makes This ADU Special

  • One-level living that works for every age.
  • Cathedral ceilings that make 900 square feet feel open and bright.
  • A workshop and basement for storage you rarely get in an ADU.
  • Stick-built on site like a traditional house.

Comparing backyard homes? See Deltec’s backyard cottage shells, Mint’s 14×20 modular ADU, and our guide to Virginia’s new ADU law.

Learn More

BuildX
Weekend home tours (BuildX lists the Whitman ADU): check dates and times at buildx.com/adu-home-tour
Pricing: buildx.com/adu-pricing · Floor plans: buildx.com/adu-floor-plans
Contact: ADU@buildx.com · (781) 627-7000
Instagram: @buildx_usa · Facebook · YouTube
Renderings and floor plan: BuildX. Pricing as listed on buildx.com in October 2026.

Highlights

  • 900 sq ft detached ADU in Whitman, Massachusetts
  • Two bedrooms and 1.5 baths on one level
  • Cathedral ceilings over the kitchen and living room
  • Farmers porch, window seats, and a 24-foot workshop
  • Stick-built on site by BuildX

Explore More

Would you move into a one-level ADU like this in your own backyard?

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Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through one of our links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

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Alex

Alex Pino is the founder of Tiny House Talk, a leading resource on tiny homes and simple living since 2009. He helps readers discover unique homes, connect with builders, and explore alternative living.

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