The Laneway House
This pattern is shaped by
Problem
On most single-family lots, the backyard is underused, the lane or alley is neglected, and there is no way to add a small dwelling without subdividing the lot — even when the homeowner needs rental income, the neighborhood needs housing, and a family member needs a place to live.
Evidence and Discussion
Vancouver's laneway housing program, implemented in 2009, has produced over 4,000 small dwellings on existing single-family lots. Edmonton adopted a similar bylaw in 2018. Portland's ADU program has added thousands more. The pattern is proven: a small, self-contained dwelling (typically 50–90 m²) built in the rear yard, accessed from the lane, with its own address, entrance, kitchen, and bathroom.
The design challenge is specific: the laneway house must be private from the main house (you're creating a neighbor, not a guest room), it must not overshadow the main house or the neighbor's yard, and it must feel like a real home, not a garage conversion.
Therefore
on any single-family lot with rear lane access, allow a second small dwelling of fifty to ninety square meters, one to two stories, accessed from the lane. Give it its own entrance, its own garden (even a small one), and its own address. Set it back far enough from the main house to create two distinct domestic realms with privacy between them. Build it to the same quality standard as the main house — this is someone's home, not an accessory.