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By Kathryn Brownell
It has been a decade since architect Sarah Susanka debuted her bestseller The Not So Big House, which proclaimed “build better, not bigger” during the decade of super-sized homes. While viewing the 2009 Home of the Year (HOTY) entries, we began to see change in Central Florida. The entries ranged from a Contemporary Modern home at 3,050 square feet to a Mediterranean Revival at 12,000 square feet. In between were houses of eclectic architectural style: British Colonial, Georgian, Adirondack, Mission Art and Crafts, Florida Vernacular and the popular Mediterranean Revival. Entries in major categories embraced sustainability at various levels,. Juror Gary Ridgdill sees our area in the flow of this national architectural trend. Juror John Howey predicts that the next decade will have smaller, smarter and greener homes. Lot availability, economic trend and a renewed interest in sustainable building are the push. One entry summed up “the modern city home” – living with the conveniences of a large estate but yet compact – better for the environment and your wallet. The 2009 Home of the Year winners – building better, building smarter.
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| HOTY JURORS |
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John Howey
Juror John Howey, architect and principal of John Howey & Associates, is housed in a 108-year-old historic brick building in downtown Tampa. Howey has been in practice under his own name since 1965. Works include small beachfront homes and large-scale projects, such as the Tampa City Hall Plaza and the CBA Building at the University of South Florida. Howey has also served as a visiting critic, lecturer/adjunct professor at the New School of Architecture, San Diego; SCI-Arc, Los Angeles, Louisiana Technical Institute and the Universities of Utah, Florida, South Florida, Florida A&M and Tennessee.
Howey is also the author of two highly acclaimed books, The Sarasota School of Architecture (MIT Press, 1995) acknowledged as the first thorough documentation of the Sarasota School and Florida Architecture: A Celebration (AIA Florida, 2000).
www.jhoweyarch.com
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Gary Ridgdill
Architect Ridgdill is Emeritus Professor of the University of Florida School of Architecture and served twice as Director. He maintained a professional practice during his teaching career designing buildings throughout the United States, which included FBI Headquarters, Washington, D.C.; Blue Cross Blue Shield, Chicago; New England Baptist Hospital, Boston; and his award-winning personal residence in Gainesville. His primary teaching interests are Architectural Rendering and Design Studio. Ridgdill received his B.A. from the University of Florida and his M.A. from MIT.
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HOME OF THE YEAR
Phil Kean Designs
Orlando Home & Leisure’s 2009 Home of the Year honors go to Phil Kean Designs’ The Evergreen, a four-bedroom, four-bath Modern Florida home. Although it was one of the smallest of our entries at 3,050 square feet, our jurors were impressed by the compact floor plan and Evergreen’s LEED Gold certification. Kean has been one of OHL’s top award winners for the last few years and continues to demonstrate that when he turns his attention to contemporary Florida homes, remodels or new construction, he has the right touch – materials, design and interior furnishings.
The home makes excellent use of natural and recycled materials, including Kean’s signature natural stacked stone wall, which dominates the interior’s great room and the exterior as it juxtaposes smooth concrete walls and dark roof overhangs. The square footage is so well utilized that the garage roof has been designed as a terrace with an edible garden area.
LEED features include driveway pavers made from salvaged terrazzo flooring, a slab raised 1-¾ inches higher than the stem wall that looks like stained concrete flooring and prevents water intrusion, solar water heat, recycled content tile, low-E glass windows, “green” paints, stains and carpeting, and a drought-tolerant landscape with a zoned, drip irrigation system. Rainwater can be collected in a 300-gallon storage system.
If there were any lingering questions about the ability of LEED homes to offer the design quality, comfort and sophistication of traditionally built homes, Keans’ Evergreen clearly puts those doubts to rest.
“A modern Florida home. Great spaces with a beautiful layout of openness and excellent choices of materials. The home has a clear connection to the Florida outdoors, which is always desirable in our climate.” — Gary Ridgdill, Architect
“This is a total design of interlocking residential spaces to form a whole. Color, furniture design and lighting complement the overall look of this residence.” — John Howey, F.A.I.A.
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BATHROOM/KITCHEN
Phil Kean Designs
The Evergreen’s master bathroom integrates earth tones in the walls, flooring and a glass tub enclosure to create a tranquil, restful space. Green features include solar heated water, insulated hot water lines, high efficiency plumbing fixtures, low-E windows and recycled materials.
The Evergreen’s eat-in kitchen took top award for Kitchen of the Year. The streamlined dark cabinetry has drawer pulls only on lower cabinets, enhancing the sleekness of the design. On the wall opposite the sink area, the countertop wraps the cabinetry, creating a trim silhouette. A slightly recessed range hood is camouflaged and under-cabinet lighting throws emphasis on the light countertops and backsplash.
Green features include bamboo wood floors, an induction range, Energy Star appliances and section-controlled lighting. It is a seamless design that works. The kitchen has seating for four people as an extension of the kitchen work area. The elegant kitchen opens to the great room, creating a natural flow of spaces.
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BEDROOM
Slocum Platts Architects
Beamed ceilings and wood floors, arched openings, floor-to-ceiling windows evoke Old Word European charm. Two pairs of French doors lead to a private lanai that overlooks the pool and lake. A smaller lanai is located on the side facade. The master suite, separated from the main body of the house by a gallery, is four rooms in one; a sitting area, gentleman’s desk/writing area, large adjoining master bath with his-and-her closets and sleeping area. Warm and intimate, the wood floors, ceiling and upholstery make a comfortable and relaxing hideaway.
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OUTDOOR ROOM
Marquis Fine Homes
Outdoor living can be sumptuous without the sprawl. At Maison de Ville – created as a city-sized alternative to mega-mansions – Marquis Fine Homes designer Sharon Gilkey laid out a jewel-like private relaxation area. A pool deck about 40 feet by 12 feet runs alongside the home. Surrounded by a curtain of bamboo, it’s shady and private, and the rectangular pool incorporates a shallow shelf for in-water relaxation. Adjoining the kitchen is an indoor-outdoor room, a bit more than 18-feet square, with a fireplace and large screen television. French doors open to the kitchen, while 12-foot glass pocket doors on each side open the room completely to the pool on one side and to a charming courtyard 18-feet-by-16 feet on the other. The courtyard is centered on a gas-fed fire pit and features a small wall fountain to provide soothing background sounds.
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DINING ROOM
Osprey Custom Homes
This elegant dining room is as functional as it is beautiful. Dark walls, full-length draperies, custom millwork, chandelier and polished pedestal dining table and chairs create a versatile dining space that can be transformed from formal to informal by changing the lighting. Located adjacent to the kitchen, the dining room has a full bar with a warming drawer. Linens and dinnerware are conveniently stored behind smoked glass doors.
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LIVING ROOM
Osprey Custom Homes
Osprey has created a living room that is truly for living. Combining three rooms in one, this Butler Chain of Lakes British Colonial living room contains a bar, game table and large seating area. The “TV Wall” of custom millwork contains five televisions and a drop-down 110-inch screen. In addition, it houses the owner’s art collection. Three sofas and an ottoman in a neutral blue with grey wool carpeting anchor the cool color palette.
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SPECIALTY ROOM
PSG Construction
The wine cellar (above) was placed in the basement of this two-story, Tuscan-style house for authenticity. Wood for the 2-inch-thick doors and ceiling were salvaged from a barn that was being torn down in New York State. Tile floors, stone-arched wall and wood, custom and salvaged, create a warm texture for this intimate specialty room.
“A special place for wine tasting with a wet bar and a comfortable lounge for conversation.” — Gary Ridgdill
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GREEN/REMODEL
Élan Design Studio
Élan Design Studio captured two awards in one home: the green remodel of a mid-20th-century, low-slung ranch house. (right). Working with a large lakefront lot in Altamonte Springs and a mandate from the homeowner to “incorporate green design consistently throughout,” Élan was able to transform a ubiquitous architectural style into a modern Mission-style, one-of-a-kind home. Using rustic elements on the exterior, cedar shake siding, period-style entry doors, Élan worked to recreate a bungalow atmosphere. Construction waste was kept to a minimum by recycling and reusing; the garage structure was salvaged, along with some interior walls and doors. Interior green features: solar tubes in each room, low-flow facets, Energy Rated appliances and lighting, and tiles with recycled elements.
Nowhere is the remodel more profound than the rear elevation. An open concrete patio was transformed into a slate and pressure-treated wood deck. A clear glass balustrade makes for unfettered views of the backyard and lake. A covered deck was also added to the master bedroom giving the owners a private space lakeside.
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EDITOR’S CHOICE AWARD
Groninger Custom Homes
The centerpiece of this master bathroom is the stunning freestanding carved stone bathtub. Created especially for this home, it sits atop a bed of aggregate, echoing the oval profile of the tub. A study in calm and cool, this 14-inch-by-14-inch bathroom features a neutral and natural palette flooded with soft natural light. The shower, placed directly behind the tub, features mosaic tile lending depth to the space. Dual vanities and a makeup area flank the tub. Travertine floors, light wood beams and light colored walls enforce the tranquility of this master spa retreat.
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LANDSCAPE
Raleigh Design
Chris and Kate Raleigh set out to remodel their home in Maitland and brought a house back to life. Then, it was time to turn their aesthetic to the backyard. And re-landscape they did. Chris had an idea of what he wanted for his Victorian home, but he researched and drove through nearby neighborhoods for more inspiration. Together with Glen Herbert (Bellomo Herbert & Co.), they embarked on a landscape plan for every inch of the property. Southers & Southers prepared the yard: installing the plant material, irrigation and lighting. All of the existing plant material was removed and new plant material, including drought-tolerant zoysia grass, was installed. The brick patio, stone paths and fountain surrounded by the new landscape create a peaceful, yet dramatic space for relaxing and entertaining guests.
“A creative design that is sensitive to individual spaces and the connection between spaces.” — Gary Ridgdill
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