These clients came to us with a request that most architects want to hear, “Please design us a contemporary home”. The site is wrapped with a lagoon that will not have any neighbors on the other side of the water allowing us to open the entire back of the home with large expanses of glass to take in the views. Working with the local review board proved challenging but we met the requirements of having the second floor of the structure incorporated into the roof. We lowered the overall shed roof to create dormers on the street façade presenting a more conservative presence to the neighbors.
The overall massing of the home started with a shed roofed main element which was intersected with two gabled structures, one housing the master suite the other creating the entry. The angling of the master wing accommodates vehicular entry in the garage located under the home and creates privacy to the only neighbor who will be on the East side of the home. This geometry opens up views to the water. Maintaining unobstructed views was a key design element; railings were almost eliminated by the use of a planter along one edge and the pool along the rear.
The guest is presented with an open IPE stair built over a water feature, which refers them to the main water views they are about to encounter. The entry gable element gives a more intimate scale that then opens to a large open great room and kitchen. The stacked stone fireplace is surrounded by glass, which truly brings the outdoors inside. Due to the hurricane and seismic requirements on the coast structural steel was required which we used to our advantage and left exposed as a minimalist design element. All of the steel was blued (the process mostly used to prevent rust on rifles). Motorized shades are incorporated into all the European glazed walls and left exposed adding to this aesthetic. Large overhangs provide most of the shading required but these shades allow the owners to control the day lighting and privacy. The main interior stair is open yet creates an intimate space underneath for the clients to read or watch television. Behind the kitchen are a walk-in pantry, powder room and laundry.
Upstairs a guest room that has moving panels can be opened up to the main living space. An overlook is created at the end of the hallway. An office and another guest room completes the second floor.
The master bedroom and bath open out onto the rear deck. The master bedroom is also open to the lagoon. Rich thick carpeting is used in the same pale blue as the walls to add a since of luxury to the suite. An office loft is created over the walk-in closets and bath area. It too shares the main views.
Details
Architect: CHRISTOPHER ROSE, AIA ASID, CHRISTOPHER ROSE ARCHITECTS, PA
Landscape Designer: HEYWARD TOWNSEND, SUNNYSIDE DESIGNS, INC.
General Contractor: JAY SIFLY, SIFLY HOMES, INC
Interior Designer: SUSAN MORROW, SUSAN MORROW INTERIOR DESIGN
Developer: CHARLES P. DARBY, III, KIAWAH DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS
Photographer: RION RIZZO, CREATIVE SOURCES PHOTOGRAPHY
Project Size: 4285 square feet
Lot Size: 90’ x 80’
Project Completed: June 2010