I recently had the privilege of joining Matt Pouliot on the Housing Matters podcast to talk about one of my favorite topics: how Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) can reshape the way we live, build, and support one another.
Matt is a housing developer and former State Senator who hosts Housing Matters to explore the systems, stories, and solutions shaping where and how we live.
Our conversation stretched from my early career in global housing and disaster recovery to the present moment at Origin Studio, where we design and build modular ADUs that bring high-quality, energy-efficient, and flexible living space to backyards across the U.S.
ADUs are meeting many challenges at once—housing supply, affordability, multigenerational living, and sustainable design. We’re at a turning point where smaller, smarter, factory-built solutions can help families thrive while strengthening neighborhoods.
In the episode, we covered:
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Why ADUs now → How modular design and small footprints deliver new housing without new land.
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Global lessons, local solutions → What disaster recovery in the Caribbean and slum upgrading in India taught me about resilience, policy, and scale.
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Design without compromise → Why Origin Studio prioritizes dignity, daylight, and efficiency—even while scaling.
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Permitting & logistics, demystified → From cranes and utilities to state vs. local inspection, plus how customer portals improve trust and timelines.
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Use cases that pencil → From aging-in-place to rental income to legacy planning.
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Policy & partnerships → How pre-approved plan catalogs and workforce solutions can accelerate adoption nationwide.
Watch & Listen
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Full Episode on YouTube → [Embed video here]
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Or stream Housing Matters on your favorite podcast app.
About Housing Matters
The Housing Matters podcast spotlights leaders shaping the future of housing—from policy and design to construction and community. See more episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@HousingMattersPod
About Origin Studio’s Modular ADUs
At Origin Studio, we believe that home is more than walls—it’s a space that supports how we live, love, and grow. Our modular ADUs combine architectural refinement, energy efficiency, and turnkey service so homeowners, agents, and developers can create multigenerational, flexible living solutions at neighborhood scale.
Learn more at www.originstudio.design
