Custom single-family home.
2005
A tropical contemporary residence that responds to the South Florida climate. Letting the outside in combined with the minimalist design approach creates a rational design that balances simplicity with exuberance.
There are virtually no windows on the street or neighboring facades, to allow privacy and still make the most of the views towards the private courtyards. The design has been oriented such as all the primary spaces within the house face into the private gardens or open to the bay.
The narrow property is oriented on a north-south axis, and there are three main elements that follow the site axis – an open living zone, a private/service zone and the horizontal circulation spine, accentuated by a crystal box, which serves as the vertical circulation. The lightness of the stairs and bridges provides the owners a sense of floating in space. The focal point is a butterfly roof over this space, inspired by the owner’s childhood memories of his parents’ house in Cuba.
The distinctive profiles and daring spaces are linked together by a dominant aesthetic created by a plane which wraps the house on the west façade and ties the two main volumes. It serves as a screen from the neighboring property, a covered parking area, and a theatrical outdoor open dining terrace.
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