Work In progress: WindSong
I just returned from inspecting a
project I am doing in upper state Florida. The work is well underway at this time, as can
be seen from the photos. This was a challenging site. It has a variation in
elevation of some thirty feet from the top of a sandy hill down to the water's edge.
The view from the great room is spectacular as the balconies look out to the waterway from
this beautiful hilltop elevation. From the residence, you can see many
small boats entering and leaving the inlet. There is the constant sound of seagulls
who make this area home. What a canvas this presents to an architect.
Here was a chance to design something special for a couple who will live here in
retirement.
The structure is cut into the sand dune as though it was part of the slope.
The construction stair-steps down the property to the beach front. From the street
the home appears as one story, but from the rear, it becomes three broad
planes with strong horizontal lines. The lot is little more than one hundred feet
wide although it appears much wider due to the design principal of emphasizing the
horizontal lines to achieve the illusion of a much larger residence.
The prevailing breeze and morning sun were the principal factors in
the overall design. The kitchen should always be in a position to take full
advantage of the early morning sunlight. There is no better way to get the day
started than to have breakfast in a sunlit kitchen, looking out over the water, with the
sounds of natures orchestra. From the breakfast area it is only only a few steps to
a spacious balcony for outdoor dining. The balconies of the house all have wide roof
overhangs so that eating outside can be a regular occurrence. These balconies also
provide a connection to all the rooms on the upper floors so that passage between these
areas is greatly facilitated.
Rear elevations of the
residence. The Master suite is on the left side with windows looking towards the
water. The swimming pool is in the foreground. The construction is now a few months
from completion.
Update
Work on Windsong is progressing and there will be additional updates from
time to time until the work is finished. It is always interesting to see the
construction of a project as it takes shape.
Front Entry
Looking at the front elevation, this home appears to be the normal one story
residence. Appearances are deceiving. Due to the fact that this lot had a
thirty-foot slope at the rear what appears to be a small cottage from the street is in
truth, a three story residence in which guests can be entertained in comfort with a
swimming pool, sun deck, and a video theatre built on the lower floor.
Foyer looking towards Water
On entering through the front doors the panoramic view of the inlet is reviled. If
the interiors of this residence were considered as complete, this would be the
personification of minimalism.
At this time, there is considerable
work still to be done to finish construction. With architecture designed as a
total concept, it is not necessary to set a style for the interiors. The
style is the architecture. Interior accessories are all that are
required to complete the home.
Rear Elevation Right Side
Requirements for hurricane force winds on this exposed site, were considered and
met through research. Building codes in hurricane prone sections of our
country, are usually written to establish a maximum
velocity of one hundred twenty miles-per-hour. This residence was designed
for one-hundred-forty mile winds. Even the pool deck has a purpose. The front wall
of the pool patio serves as a breakwater against incoming flood tides, if this
occasion should ever occur.
Looking towards the Waterway
Why people look for waterfront property...
With this view of the waterway it is easy to see why my clients chose to live here
in retirement. There is a tranquility and beauty to be found in areas where
water plays a dominant part in the location of a home. More than just visual, water adds
the subtle sounds, not only of its self, but of the many birds who find it an
invitation, adding their voices to the constant wind which carries them ashore.
