The Northwest Cottage Company was founded in 2019 by Ian Story, a Seattle architect and real estate developer. In August 2019, the City of Seattle published sweeping code changes making it easier than ever to add a second (and third!) unit to single family homes. Several builders jumped at the opportunity and rolled out one-size-fits-all solutions ready made to place in homeowner’s backyards. Talking with homeowners, Ian heard a common complaint about these new options: none of them allowed any customization.

As an architect working around Seattle lots for years, Ian knew there was no such thing as a standard Seattle lot. To make the most of a tight space and the unique design constraints of ADUs was going to require unique solutions tailor-fit to their individual lots. Wanting to support the growing trend toward infill development band backyard living, Ian launched Northwest Cottage Company to fill a niche in the Seattle market for custom-designed cottages at a price point affordable to most of the City’s residents.