Problem: In a Faux-Hacienda style builder house in a Florida gated community, find a gestural and budget minded solution that adds 1000 square feet to the existing 3000 feet. The parti should unify disparate spaces; take advantage of south light and views of the park-like setting at the rear of the lot.

Solution: Reworking the entire building to change its character was not feasible due to the community’s architecture review board restrictions and the conservative budget of $65 per square foot. Efforts were thus focused on several large gestures that could transform the building. A continuous storefront window wall, a series of large scaled hinged pivot walls, and a floating datum ceiling unify and organize all spaces.

While the existing front façade is not changed, the rear façade of the existing structure is replaced with and continuous storefront window wall system. Upon entry to the residence, a fragment of the window wall floats freely to foreshadow the continuous wall beyond. A third window wall frame is aligned with the entry section but is placed in the garden beyond. It frames outdoor sculpture and the landscape. The building is transformed and united with the views beyond.

A continuous datum ceiling appears to float separately through all spaces within the structure. It is perforated with a frameless lighting system and pulled from all exterior walls. A series of floating pivoting walls subdivide spaces and create baffles for light. Large blocks of color are used to create another means of organizing space and framing views. A building is transformed with simple economic gestures and architecture and interior and seamlessly integrated.

Category

Freestanding Residences

Project Code

03098

Photographer

Michael Moran

Category

Freestanding Residences

Project Code

03098

Photographer

Michael Moran