‘Not So Big’ concept works in Illinois

For the first time, Sarah Susanka, architect and best-selling author of the popular Not So Big House book series, has designed a house for a development — SchoolStreet Homes in the Village of Libertyville, Illinois. The new urban infill project, located 35 miles north of Chicago with commuter rail service to the city, has been selling well — at odds with national trends.

Only about three acres in size, the development has sold 24 of 26 lots in 10 months. The formula is to provide architect-designed houses with many of the same materials so that prices can be kept down. “By using the same pallet of high quality materials in each of the 26 houses, SchoolStreet Homes is able to bring a semi-custom house to the marketplace at a reasonable price point,” Susanka says.

The developer is calling the units “Front-Porch Revival” houses, designed with a combination of bungalow and Craftsman details. The houses are designed to fit in well with early 20th Century houses in surrounding neighborhoods.

The project also includes the conversion of a historic school into 15 lofts. The houses and rehabilitated school fill a streetscape that connects to Libertyville’s main street,

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