Posts by Ileana Schinder — Contributor

Argentina-born Ileana Schinder is a licensed architect. She holds a B.Arch in Architecture from Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (Argentina) and an MA in Public Communication from American University (Washington, DC). Ileana has nurtured her passion for architecture since first hearing the click of LEGO bricks at the age of four. She lives in Washington, DC with her family and Cecilia, the dog.

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  Montgomery County just made it easier to build an accessory apartment

  ZoningBy Ileana Schinder (Contributor) July 25, 2019 10

  On Tuesday, Montgomery County amended its zoning laws to make it easier to build accessory apartments. After a year of research and about six months of discussion, the County Council unanimously approved ZTA 19-01 on Accessory Dwelling Units, which loosens restrictions for homeowners who want to build additional dwellings such as English basements or “granny flats.”  Keep reading…

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  What Montgomery County can learn from DC’s accessory apartment policy

  HousingBy Ileana Schinder (Contributor) June 26, 2019 19

  Montgomery County is debating a change to its zoning rules that would make it easier to build accessory apartments, also known as Accessory Dwelling Units or ADUs. What impact would such a change have on the area? Thankfully, we can look at our neighbors in DC for clues, since the city passed a similar rule change in 2016.  Keep reading…

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  How to build an accessory apartment from start to finish

  HousingBy Ileana Schinder (Contributor) February 13, 2019

  “Where do I even start?!” is the first question I hear from people when it comes to building accessory apartments, also known as Additional Dwelling Units or ADUs. Here's a step-by-step list outlining how to bring your accessory apartment from dream to reality.  Keep reading…

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  10 things to look for if you’re considering creating an accessory apartment

  HousingBy Ileana Schinder (Contributor) February 6, 2019 5

  You may be familiar with the typical “English basement,” an apartment at the bottom of a rowhouse that's particularly popular with interns and small families in DC. They’ve been around for decades, but now they’re gaining even more popularity as the result of housing shortage and other market realities, as well as the desire to live in close-knit communities.  Keep reading…

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  Accessory apartments make money and increase the housing supply. Here’s how to build one.

  HousingBy Ileana Schinder (Contributor) January 28, 2019 3

  In this generation, more people are staying single longer, are having fewer children, and frequently prioritize walkable urban neighborhoods over suburban ones. Those cultural shifts, along with the high cost of living in the Washington region, have forced politicians and residents to rethink where and how new housing should be accommodated.  Keep reading…