December Feature: How the Abode ADU™ Was Born — And Why It Matters
As 2025 comes to a close, we’re excited to give you more of an inside look on what has been quietly taking shape behind the scenes. A project rooted in our history, fueled by innovation, and inspired by a very real need in the world today.
Introducing: Abode ADU™, Roost & Root’s first-ever line of International Residential Code (IRC) compliant SmartKit™ living spaces.
This is more than a new product. It’s the next chapter in the Roost & Root story.
From Backyard Eggs to Backyard Homes
Roost & Root started with a simple, happy thought: What if we could make SmartKit™ chicken coops that families could assemble themselves to help deliver fresh eggs right into their backyards?
That idea proved to catch on. More than 100 million eggs later, our coops safely house chickens in backyards across the country, delivering over 50,000 fresh eggs EVERY day. Along the way, our coops got bigger, stronger, smarter, and more refined.
We took everything we learned and expanded into premium greenhouses too, all using our unique SmartKit™ approach — sturdy, premanufactured panelized designs that real people can assemble themselves.
What we didn’t realize at the time was that all of this experience was preparing us for something bigger.
The Spark That Changed Everything
Over the years, we became experts at creating high-quality, premanufactured panelized structures. Chicken coops, greenhouses, and eventually, much larger coop models and full garden structures. Our team kept proving that strong, beautiful buildings could be kit-built — and built well. That’s when the inspiration hit.
“We realized that our core skill of creating SmartKits™ could be applied to develop properly built, pre-manufactured living spaces,” says Montie Twining founder of Roost & Root and the brains behind all of our products. “Not sheds — real homes that families can utilize to fit their lifestyle.” The spark turned into a flame when Montie connected it to a bigger problem: the modern housing crisis.
A Look Back: Sears Kit Homes and a Lost Idea
Modern problems often point to a piece of American history that’s been mostly forgotten. While working on the design process Montie searched the web to see how companies of the past tackled similar problems. Sears & Roebuck, from the 1920s to the 1950s, built kit homes that were wildly popular. These weren’t simple sheds or barns; they were full homes with pre-cut lumber, windows, hardware, and detailed instructions. And here’s the key part: even adjusted for inflation, those homes were more affordable relative to income than new homes today. Much more affordable.
This further encouraged Montie to keep the course with his idea. Building homes from scratch became more expensive, more complex, and more time-consuming — while prefab construction mostly drifted toward “sheds,” not true code compliant residences.
That’s the gap Roost & Root realized we could fill.
A First Look at the Model 1 EX: The Bedroom Model
The Abode ADU™ Model 1 EX is our inaugural floorplan — a fully pre-manufactured kit that’s sized, engineered, and assembled like a proper small home. Nothing about it is “shed-grade.”
What makes the EX a “Bedroom Model”?
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- Two 3030 fixed high-set Low-E windows that create the perfect wall for a queen bed and ensure privacy.
- A flexible ~43 ft² side room, designed to become either a compact full bath or a roomy storage/utility space.
- A ~60+ ft² covered porch with exposed Douglas fir rafters — an architectural highlight. Perfect for enjoying any scenery you could dream of.
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Prefer more natural light?
The EX Studio Model offers the same footprint and SmartKit™ engineering as the EX Bedroom Model — but boasts large 3060 front windows for natural light to pour in. It’s the perfect flexible space to adapt to any of your creative or professional needs.
What the dried-in shell includes:
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- IRC-compliant framing and sheathing
- Engineered roof rafters (24″ OC standard, 16″ OC options for Alpine snow load regions)
- Pre-cut 5/8″ Douglas fir roof decking, and a dry in roof membrane
- A stunning custom 4×8 fiberglass entry door with 3/4 light glass panels
- CNC-cut, glue-and-screw premanufactured wall panels that lock together with precision alignment tabs
- Everything needed for assembly, down to the fasteners — even a cordless drill and two hardhats
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Two people can assemble the structure to a fully dried-in, weatherproof state in 2–3 weekends, (or a week off work) with no cranes or special equipment required. Every component is sized to be carried by one or two people through a standard backyard gate.
Finish it your way — or use our kits
Once dried-in, homeowners can finish the interior anyway their heart desires. Using their own materials or optional Roost & Root finish kits (interior walls, exterior siding, roofing, kitchenette, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and more available.)
The result?
A real, long-lasting home structure — beautiful, sturdy, and adaptable.
Designed for Real Life — In All Its Stages
Because it’s a genuine, IRC-compliant living structure, the Abode ADU™ isn’t just an accessory — it’s a lifestyle tool. A way to expand your home’s usefulness without adding on or moving out. The possibilities are endless. Perfect for:
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- Multigenerational living, giving aging parents a safe, dignified space
- Remote professionals who need a polished, quiet workspace
- Artists and creators who thrive in natural-light studios
- Hosts and entertainers who want a welcoming guest house
- Homeowners looking for rental income in high-demand ADU areas
- Anyone who wants more space — without sacrificing beauty or comfort
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The Abode ADU™ is designed to flex with life’s changing needs, year after year.
What’s Next: 2026 and Beyond
Beginning in Spring 2026, we will start offering production slots for the Abode ADU™ — a major milestone in the evolution of Roost & Root.
And this is only the beginning. Larger models and expanded production capacity are already in development.
As Montie puts it:
“We don’t want to forget our roots (pun intended), but we do want to grow our company. What better inspiration than to help people by designing and manufacturing easy-to-build, more affordable living structures — strong, pretty, super-long-lasting structures that actually solve a modern dilemma.”
Want Early Access?
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If you’d like help planning your build, you can request an Abode ADU™ Spec Package — a simple way to see all options, finishes, and requirements in one place. Send us a message or give us a call today to get yours! You can also join our text list below to be notified of updates, exclusive sales, and behind the scenes information!
Thank you for being part of the Roost & Root community.
We’re real people here to help you build a life you don’t need a vacation from — one rooted in good food, happy animals, and meaningful work.Until next month,
The Roost & Root TeamHave questions?
Send us a text at 512-334-6610
Give us a call at 877-741-2667
Send us an email at support@roostandroot.com