Founded on decades of design and development experience.
blue ADU is an ADU design firm headquartered in East Providence, RI. We serve property owners, home buyers, investors and developers throughout Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
Founded in 2025 as the sister company to a top architecture firm in RI, David Sisson Architecture (DSA), we have over a decade of history delivering high-quality designs and top-rated customer service to New England developers, businesses, schools, investors, municipalities and homeowners.
With the founding of blue ADU, we now have a dedicated home and brand to focus exclusively on educating property owners about accessory dwelling units, coordinating architectural design services, providing project management and dedicated customer service.
About the Founder
David Sisson, AIA, LEED AP BD+C
David is a dedicated and licensed professional architect with more than three decades of experience. With personal and responsive service a priority, David brings a strong sense of design and keen technical knowledge to his architecture firms. He is a LEED Accredited Professional (AP) in Building Design and Construction (BD+C) and takes green design and energy efficiency seriously in projects of all sizes.
David earned his bachelors and masters degrees in architecture at the University of Michigan and Rice University. He previously owned and operated an architectural metal fabrication studio in Houston, Texas. He is the founder and principal architect of David Sisson Architecture (DSA).
David and his team were amazing! They presented great ideas and provided highly detailed designs. David and team were very easy to work with, patient, and made the design process enjoyable. I highly recommend them!!
Our Values
blue ADU was founded out of a desire to educate and ensure that every homeowner knows what an accessory dwelling unit is and understands their available options should they ever decide it is the right choice.
Education
Our business is not based on pushy sales tactics or even convincing any homeowner that they should build an ADU. We’ve found that the majority of people do not know what an ADU is or about its uses, benefits or available options. Our goal is to educate people and be ready to serve when needed.
Integrity
We firmly believe in providing transparent and honest service and always looking out for our customer’s best interests.
Quality
Founded by a licensed architect with 3 decades of experience in architectural design, real estate investment and construction, blueADU commits to producing expert, thoughtful and practical design that prioritizes our customer’s goals, the safety of the future occupants, and a smooth construction process with clear, logical and detailed construction drawings.
Service
Service begins with communication and continues all the way through project completion. We are excited to share our knowledge and expertise with our customers and strive to provide a friendly and enjoyable experience with every interaction.
Advocacy
We passionately advocate at a state and local level to urge lawmakers and building and zoning officials to pass sensible legislation and ordinances that enable more homeowners the option to develop an ADU ifit is right for their needs.
Sustainability
Our Founder and Principal Architect is a certified LEED Accredited Professional by the US Green Building Council, reflecting their advanced knowledge in green building. Our team keeps sustainability as a priority while maintaining a balance and focus on our client’s goals and budget.
Our Process
The ADU development process is not simple, but that doesn’t mean it has to be stressful. Our full service package can bring you from concept through construction, as we guide you step-by-step through the process. Achieving your family, housing and financial goals through the development of an ADU begins with choosing an experienced and knowledgable design team.
Step 1. Consultation
We take the time to talk to you about your property and your goals during an initial phone call.
Step 2: Expert Property Analysis
We review your property, check local zoning regulations, analyze your options based on your financial, family and housing goals. We deliver to you a PDF of our analysis and findings along with a proposal for our services.
Step 3: Site Visit & Schematic Design
An initial 10% deposit is due to get started. When paid, we schedule a visit to your home to measure the existing structures and photograph. From there, we make the initial basic architectural drawings of the site and ADU layout for the purpose of estimating construction costs and pursuing financing.
Step 4. Design Development
A 45% payment is due at this point. We develop the detailed design for your ADU based on the needs and goals we discussed during the Consultation. We meet to review the design and make changes. Once complete, you approve the final design.
Step 5. Construction Drawings
The remaining balance is due at this point. Since you approved the final design, we now are able to turn the design into accurate and detailed construction drawings that will be used for Contractor Bidding and Permitting. We deliver you a final stamped construction drawing package.
Step 6. Contractor Bidding
You don’t need to navigate hiring a contractor alone. You’ve heard the stories, we’ve lived them. We work with experienced and reliable contractors and will help you gather multiple cost proposals to compare.
Step 7. Contractor Selection & Negotiation
We’ll help you compare your contractor bids and give you the information needed to make an informed decision on who you want to build your ADU.
Step 8. Permitting Process Management
We work with the local building officials to obtain your necessary building permits to begin construction. Having experts help with this process ensures if there are any issues, we are involved and ready to work with the building department to solve them and get your permit approved.
Step 9. Construction Administration
For many homeowners, managing contractors can be a stressful or daunting task. Having your design team available to you throughout construction ensures that problems are avoided or solved, schedules are met and quality standards are met or exceeded.
Step 10. Post Construction
We review your completed ADU, ensure that any mistakes are fixed and touch ups are made, and that your new ADU meets our high standards. We perform contract close-out services to help end the project for the contractor and the bank if necessary.