marcus dipietro, Architect

Reviving the Small Cottage
2013. Charlotte Park, Nashville. Remodel.


In a Not So Big way (a book series by Sarah 
Susanka), I largely stayed within this 1940 
home's existing 780 sf footprint, adding only 30
sf for a dining nook.

Exterior porches add much to the new look of the
house. A few touches of distinction throughout
the home also prove the flourishing livability of
a small home. This project is simple, but it is
extremely green in that it re-uses existing 
building stock, rather than a total tear-down and
building new. With the money saved by re-using
the existing structure, the energy efficiency and
comfort level easily come up to new-build
standards.

Comments From Client:  I expressed a desire
to remodel a small house, keeping it small but
making it a comfortable and custom designed
cottage, in the Craftsman style. Marcus actually
talked me out of expanding the project (turning
the attic into living space), showing me that I
could get all the living space I needed by
making one small bump-out in the kitchen. This
made the project affordable and I am delighted
with how it is developing.

Contractor: Mossy Ridge Construction