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Das Chapin Design

Oregon

ADU Builders, ADU Designers

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Website

https://www.daschapin.com/

Das Chapin Design is a Portland-area design and construction firm specializing in thoughtfully designed accessory dwelling units (ADUs), residential remodels, and space-efficient living solutions. Working in partnership with ADU Design & Build, LLC., the company provides a combination of architectural design, construction consultation, permit assistance, and full-service general contracting for homeowners seeking functional and well-crafted living spaces.

With decades of hands-on construction experience, Das Chapin Design approaches every project with a practical understanding of how people live within their environments. Their work focuses on creating intimate, efficient, and highly livable spaces that balance aesthetics, functionality, sustainability, and budget considerations.

Specialized ADU Design & Construction Services

Accessory dwelling units are a core focus of Das Chapin Design. As an experienced accessory dwelling unit builder and ADU designer, the firm works across several types of secondary housing solutions designed to fit different property conditions and homeowner goals.

ADU Services Include:

Detached ADU design and construction
Garage conversion ADUs
Basement conversion ADUs
Backyard cottages and granny flats
In-law suites and multigenerational housing
Rental unit planning and development
Custom small-space design solutions

Their ADU projects are tailored to each homeowner’s property layout, budget, and intended use — whether for family housing, guest accommodations, rental income, or flexible living space.

Detached, Garage & Basement ADU Expertise

Das Chapin Design works with three primary ADU categories, each offering different advantages depending on site conditions and homeowner priorities.

Detached ADUs

Detached accessory dwelling units provide homeowners with fully independent living spaces designed from the ground up. These standalone backyard cottages offer the greatest flexibility in layout, privacy, and architectural style.

Garage Conversion ADUs

Garage conversion projects transform underutilized garages into fully functional living spaces. These projects are often more cost-effective than new construction and are commonly used for aging parents, adult children, guest suites, or rental opportunities.

Basement Conversion ADUs

Basement ADUs offer one of the most efficient and economical ways to add livable square footage and rental potential to an existing home. These units are designed with fire separation, sound reduction, and energy efficiency considerations in mind.

Their renovation-focused approach aligns with sustainable housing principles by maximizing the use of existing structures whenever possible.

Construction Consultation & Permit Assistance

In addition to design services, Das Chapin Design offers practical construction consultation for homeowners who want a deeper understanding of the building process or plan to manage portions of the project themselves.

Consultation & Support Services Include:

Construction planning guidance
Permit application assistance
Subcontractor coordination support
Budget and scope consultation
Remodeling and renovation planning
Owner-builder project guidance
Portland building department navigation

With nearly four decades of hands-on experience across multiple construction methods — including straw bale, post and beam, steel, and standard framing — the firm brings practical expertise grounded in real-world building knowledge.

Integrated Design-Build Collaboration

Through its partnership with ADU Design & Build, LLC., Das Chapin Design offers a collaborative design-build process that integrates contractor involvement early in the project lifecycle.

Benefits of Their Design-Build Approach:

Improved communication between designer and contractor
Better alignment between design and budget
Streamlined project coordination
Faster decision-making during construction
Reduced redesign and bidding inefficiencies

This collaborative structure allows clients to move through design, permitting, and construction more smoothly than traditional separated design-bid-build models.

Why Homeowners Choose Das Chapin Design

Specialized expertise in ADU design and construction
Experience with detached, garage, and basement ADUs
Sustainable and space-efficient design philosophy
Nearly 40 years of practical construction experience
Construction consultation and permit guidance
Collaborative design-build process
Focus on functional, livable residential spaces

Das Chapin Design combines thoughtful residential design with practical construction knowledge to create efficient and highly personalized living environments.

A Mission Focused on Livable & Thoughtful Spaces

Das Chapin Design believes that well-designed spaces should reflect how people truly live. Their work focuses on creating comfortable, efficient, and meaningful environments that maximize the utility and potential of existing properties while supporting modern housing needs.

Whether designing a detached backyard cottage, converting a garage into an ADU, or remodeling an existing basement into a rental suite, Das Chapin Design provides homeowners with a thoughtful and highly collaborative approach to residential design and construction.

Service Area

Portland OR

Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon, United States

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