We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ramiro Losada-amor a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Ramiro, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Do you wish you had waited to start your own firm or do you wish you had started sooner?
I believe we started our firm at just the right time. I launched the business in 2018 after a referral from a friend (the classic start), but everything took off exponentially after 2020. COVID changed how people see their homes—they’re no longer just where we eat, sleep, or spend time with family, but they’ve become our offices, schools, gyms, and everything else. Spending so much time at home made us all notice how our spaces weren’t flexible enough for these shifting needs and lifestyles.
People started wanting more from their homes: a stronger connection to their gardens, flexible spaces to work or exercise, and additional areas for family members to be close. With this shift, we, like other designers, architects, and contractors, began receiving an influx of calls and emails from people looking to build ADUs or remodel their homes. Starting the business when we did allowed us to meet this new demand right as it emerged.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I’m the owner of Modern Granny Flat, where we design modern, sustainable, and flexible ADUs in San Diego County. We got our start by transforming a garage into a livable space with a flexible design that allowed for movable elements—a bit unconventional, but the client loved it. The project gained attention, was featured in several magazines, and even won an award. Soon, more people started reaching out to us.
One of the most rewarding parts of our work at Modern Granny Flat is connecting with clients to really understand their needs for their ADU, whether it’s a rental, a home office, a space for family, or a playroom. These conversations let us blend our creativity with their vision, creating unique spaces that clients can enjoy or, if they choose, rent out for extra income.
We love finding creative design solutions tailored to each client. For instance, one client wanted both an ADU and a green garden, but the backyard space was limited. Our solution was a rooftop green garden, making the most of the small plot. Another client wanted an ADU for her parents that would provide privacy without windows facing the backyard yet still offer plenty of natural light. For this, we drew inspiration from traditional Roman homes and designed an inward-looking ADU with a central courtyard. This “Patio ADU” was a success and is a space the owners love.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
We built a strong reputation for designing standout ADUs and home remodels. In our field, it is easy to prove what we designed just with pictures of your project. But, while it’s easy to share beautiful photos and showcase our designs, the true foundation of our reputation is our relationships with clients. We enjoy the conversation with our clients, understanding how they want to live. By creating functional, flexible, and inspiring spaces, we’ve earned the trust of homeowners who seek to maximize their property’s potential while keeping style and functionality at the forefront.
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
The best way to gain clients is through word of mouth, and many of ours come from friends, coworkers, or family members of past clients. Others discover us through a simple search about ADUs, finding our website or social media and connecting with our designs and approach to creating personalized and modern spaces.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.moderngrannyflat.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderngrannyflat/
Image Credits
Modern Granny Flat