RedRider · BoltLama™ ADU concept tool

BoltLama ADU Builder Beta

Lay out an ADU from prebuilt BoltLama walls. Every wall is stacked from the same 8 ft universal beam, so the walls snap to a 4 ft grid, turn to face out and interlock at the corners on their own.

Beta: this is an early preview to give you a general idea of a layout. Some combinations may not work as expected or may not render correctly in 3D. We’re improving it as we go.

Best on a computer

The builder is made for a mouse and a larger screen, where you can drag walls, pick several pieces at once and turn the 3D model with ease. Open this page on a laptop or desktop for the full experience.

How to use the builder

The page has two work areas. 1 · Builder is the floor plan on the left, where you add and change walls and parts. 2 · Viewer is on the right and shows your home in 3D. On a smaller screen, the Viewer sits below the Builder.

The basics, step by step

  1. Pick a starting point. Use the Start menu to open a sample layout or a blank grid. Your work saves in this browser as you go.
  2. Set the build. Choose the beam size, timber, foundation, floor finish, exterior insulation, cladding, roofing and gable windows from the menus at the top.
  3. Draw the outside walls. On the Exterior walls tab, pick a wall type, then click a grid line in the Builder (panel 1). Walls turn to face out and lock together at the corners on their own.
  4. Fill in the inside. The other tabs hold interior walls, lofts, furniture, kitchen and bath fixtures, cabinets and shelves, heating and cooling, steps and ramps, and electrical. Pick a part, then click where you want it in the Builder. Outlets and switches snap to open rod holes in the walls, and steps snap to a nearby door.
  5. Make changes. In the Builder, click the Select arrow, then click any piece to move, turn or remove it. The mouse guide below has every move.
  6. Look at it in 3D. The Viewer (panel 2) shows your home in 3D and updates as you work. Drag in it to walk around the model. Switch the roof between Hidden, Attic trusses and Full roof to see inside or out.
  7. Read the parts list. It sits below the Builder and Viewer. It counts the wall modules, gives a materials takeoff, estimates the wall R-value, and flags anything that needs a second look.
  8. Share or send it. Copy the design code or a link to share your layout. Anyone can paste the code (or the link) into Share your design and press Load pasted code. When you're ready, send the design to RedRider with your notes.

Using the mouse in the Builder (panel 1)

The Builder is the floor plan, where you build. Choose a wall or part from the tabs to add things, or choose the Select arrow to change what's already there.

Move the pointerWith a wall or part chosen, a see-through preview follows your pointer so you can see where it will land. A red dashed line means it won't fit there.
Left-clickDrops the chosen wall or part in place. Click as many times as you like to add more.
With the Select arrow, a click picks up the piece under the pointer and shows its options. Click empty floor to let go.
Left-click and dragWith the Select arrow, drag a piece to move it. Walls jump along the 4 ft grid, and parts slide in small steps and snap up against nearby walls. Drag a loft's hatched area to slide it along the room.
Drag across empty floorWith the Select arrow, draws a box. Everything inside the box is picked, so you can move, turn or remove it all at once.
Shift + left-clickAdds a piece to your group, or takes it back out. Drag any piece in the group and the whole group moves together.
Right-click a pieceOpens a short menu, whatever tool you have chosen.
  • Furniture and fixtures: Turn 90°, Turn 180°, Duplicate or Remove.
  • Walls: Turn or Remove. Walls with doors can also swing in or out.
  • Lofts: move toward either end, make it longer or shorter, or remove it.
  • A piece in a group: turn each piece or remove the whole group.

Using the mouse in the Viewer (panel 2)

The Viewer is for looking around. Make your changes in the Builder and the Viewer updates right away.

Left-click and dragWalks you around the model. Drag left or right to circle it, and up or down to look from overhead or from down low, up under the roof.
Scroll wheelZooms in and out. Holding the wheel down and dragging also zooms.
Right-click and dragSlides the view left, right, up or down without turning it. Hold Shift and drag with the left button for the same thing.
TrackpadClick and drag to turn the model, pinch or scroll with two fingers to zoom, and hold Shift while you click and drag to slide.

Keyboard shortcuts

These work in the Builder. Click the floor plan first so it's listening.

Arrow keysMove whatever is selected. With nothing selected, they move the drawing cursor.
RTurns the selected piece a quarter turn.
EnterDrops the chosen wall or part at the drawing cursor.
DeleteRemoves what's selected.
EscLets go of the selection.
+ −Makes a selected loft longer or shorter.
Ctrl ZUndo (⌘ Z on a Mac). Add Shift to redo.

This is a rough concept layout. A licensed architect finalizes every design under contract. See the builder terms at the bottom of the page.

Builder

Draw your floor plan here.
Pick a wall, then click a grid line. Use the tabs for interior walls, furniture and fixtures.

Viewer

See your home in 3D. It updates as you build.
Drag to turn · scroll or pinch to zoom · right-drag or two fingers to slide
Roof

Parts list

0sq ft floor area
08 ft universal beams
0threaded rods
Materials takeoff
Wall moduleQty
MaterialsQty
Close the outline to get a takeoff.

Quantities are measured from this layout to help price and plan it. They’re estimates, not an order list: the engineer, architect and builder set the final materials and amounts, and add waste and fasteners.

Share your design

Copy the design code or link to send to someone, or paste a code here to load it.

Send to RedRider

We’ll review your layout and reply with next steps. Your design, foundation, loft and parts list are sent with your note.

Builder terms of use

Effective October 17, 2026. These terms cover the BoltLama ADU Builder (Beta), run by RedRider, LLC, and add to the site's terms of use and privacy policy. By using the builder, you agree to them.

A visual tool for rough concepts

The builder is a visual tool only. It makes a rough concept layout to help you picture ideas and talk with us. The plan, 3D view, parts list, cut list, R-values, step counts, framing and roofing shown are estimates and simplified pictures. They aren't construction drawings, engineering, a permit set, a bid or a quote, and you shouldn't build from them.

An architect finalizes the design

Every RedRider home is finalized by a licensed architect, with engineering, under a separate written contract. Sizes, layout, openings, materials, foundation, roof and features can change to meet building codes, your site, engineering and permit requirements. Only the final signed plans and contract set what gets built.

No offer or agreement

Using the builder or sending a design doesn't create a contract, a reservation or an obligation for you or for us. Prices, schedules and scope are only binding in a signed written agreement. RedRider, LLC is not a contractor; construction is performed by independent licensed contractors under their own contracts.

Your design and your information

Your current design is saved in this browser so it's here when you come back. A share link and a design code carry the whole layout, so anyone you give them to can open it. When you press Send design, your name, contact details, location, notes and design go to RedRider through Formspree so we can reply to you. We don't sell this information. The privacy policy explains how we handle it.

Patents and trademarks

The BoltLama™ method is protected by U.S. patents, and BoltLama™ and RedRider™ are trademarks of RedRider, LLC. You may use the builder to plan a home with RedRider. Using it doesn't grant a license to build with the patented method.

Beta, as is

The builder is in beta and can change or have errors. It's provided "as is," without warranties of any kind. To the extent the law allows, RedRider, LLC isn't liable for any loss that comes from using the builder or relying on what it shows. These terms are governed by the laws of the State of California.