This small home is designed in response to changing demographics (of an aging society) and fills a market need that has yet to be properly addressed. This home, built as a 'backyard cottage' offers a compelling scenario for 'aging-in-place'. It allows an aging parent to come to live near their adult child, while keeping their own private space. It also enables its resident(s) to stay independent through their changing needs.

At only 550 square feet in size, the home incorporates all of a person’s primary needs. The home is fully accessible, but is designed in a way that its accessibility features are ‘invisible’ (not noticed unless they are pointed out) so that the home appeals to the mainstream population. In this way, the home can be appropriate to anyone and everyone, not just someone who is older or who has a disability. Yet, if the resident's physical health does change at some point, the house will be able to accommodate their different needs.

The floor level of the home is even with the outside grade, meaning there is no vertical transition (such as steps) between the inside and outside. This allows people in wheelchairs and children in strollers easy access to the home. Other Universal Design features (such as wide doorways, lever handles, and ergonomic considerations) are integrated throughout the open plan layout.

The small size of the structure makes it reasonably affordable. It also emphasizes quality rather than quantity.

The structure of the home is a timber-frame and structural insulated panels (SIPs) hybrid, which takes advantage of precision machine milling. The pre-cut components come to the site ready to be bolted together, which reduces construction time and minimizes waste.

The home is located in rural eastern Washington, but the same design can be used as an accessory dwelling unit in a more urban setting.