Green Urban Retreat

"When you level your old garage and excavate 1/3 of your lot for a project of this scope, it's reassuring to have an experienced team behind the job. We were working in a tight space and had to make use of every inch. The attention to detail, eco-friendly materials, smooth schedule, and Rocky's patience with our questions made for an enjoyable experience from beginning to end. We couldn't be happier with our new garage, patios, outdoor fireplace, and gardens. It is a welcoming space that our family looks forward to enjoying it for years to come. Thanks Rocky!" — Brian Cornell, Homeowner

Within this typical city yard we designed a gorgeous, 2.5-car space — with Tudor detailing to match the home's existing architecture — and a fully integrated urban retreat. The new garage now comfortably houses the homeowner's prized Citroën collector's car while, just around the corner, friends and family can gather under a trellis to enjoy meals or roast marshmallows in the wood-burning fireplace. A swing set is built into the trellis and set over recycled rubber mulch. Hidden out of sight is a dry well and rain garden to capture run-off from this newly-created hardscape. Soapy residue from rinsing cars no longer washes into the alley drain (and into the Mississippi River just two blocks away).

All building materials are recycled or from eco-friendly sources.

Build: Rocky DiGiacomo, DiGiacomo Homes & Renovation
Architectural Design: DiGiacomo Homes & Renovation
Awards: 2009 Regional Contractor of the Year Award, Best Exterior, National Association of the Remodeling Industry; 2008 Contractor of the Year Award, Best Exterior, National Association of the Remodeling Industry
Press: "Garage Tale: Reimagined Space in South Minneapolis Meets Many Family Needs," Spaces Magazine, August/September 2011; "Garage as Getaway," Lynn Underwood, Minneapolis Star & Tribune, June 26, 2010; "Inside Design," Mpls-St. Paul Magazine, February 2008.