Before and after: Two architects cut a house in half to make a home and an ADU

Before: The home’s original 1923 facade was illegally erased in 2014, shown here. Melissa and Amanda Shin of Shin Shin Architecture had to restore it back to the 1923 design, which is not shown. The home was legally uninhabitable due to multiple unpermitted additions over the years.
  (Shin Shin Architecture )

Architects Melissa Shin, with dog Maya, and Amanda Shin enjoy the outdoor area in front of the ADU affectionately called “Mouse House.”   (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Shin Shin Architecture plans for Mouse House, Level 1.
  (Shin Shin Architecture )

Shin Shin Architecture plans show the second level above Mouse House.   (Shin Shin Architecture
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The kitchen of Mouse House before it was remodeled. At right are the illegal arches that were added and cited by the city.   (Shin Shin Architecture )

A view of the living room of the ADU rental, with the bedroom at left, seen from the kitchen.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

The kitchen of the ADU rental.   (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

In the ADU, the semi-enclosed sunroom can be used as a greenhouse, laundry room or storage space.   (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Hooks installed inside the entryway of the main house serve as a coat rack.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

The master bedroom and bathroom of the main house. Behind the full-length mirrors: a walk-in closet.   (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Because space was limited, the architects designed walk-in closets in both the ADU and the main house.   (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

The hallway of the main house before the renovation. It is now a staircase to the second floor.   (Shin Shin Architecture )

The staircase was designed to be a room of its own.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

The plywood bookcase installed inside the staircase was designed to play off the exposed rafters of the main house.   (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Architects and sisters Melissa and Amanda Shin, on the staircase of the main house.   (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Architects Melissa Shin and Amanda Shin, seated in the living room of Amanda’s house.   (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

The living room of the main house offers arresting views of Highland Park.   (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

The open kitchen of the main house, located on the second floor, opens to an outdoor patio.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

From the street, the second-floor unit located behind the ADU is barely apparent.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

From left: Anne Barkley, who rents the ADU, and architects Amanda Shin and Melissa Shin.   (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)