Thimble Island Cottage Transformation

Thimble Islands, CT

2001

The tiny, single-level cottage was expanded horizontally and vertically to accommodate larger bedrooms, a second bathroom, and a more functional kitchen while, visually, maintaining its small scale and unpretentious, natural character. Its craggy island site, said to be where Captain Kidd hid his boat, is completely off the grid. The design solution incorporates rainwater harvesting, natural cooling strategies, gas lanterns and refrigerator, solar hot water, and photovoltaics.