Project Description↓

Location: Harbor Acres – Sarasota, Florida
Category: Residential
Year: 2019
Project Team: Damien Blumetti - Principal Architect +
Amanda Byers - Project Architect

The Harbor Acres House is located in the historic Harbor Acres neighborhood in Sarasota, Florida, and borders on a small inlet with access to Sarasota Bay. The site is over one-half acre, but the buildable footprint is restricted by special neighborhood zoning requirements and easements for neighboring properties, which influenced the program and design. The parti is essentially two volumes: one lower volume comprised of the public indoor and outdoor spaces, and a second volume that floats over the lower form, containing private indoor and outdoor spaces. The entire project is grounded by a 5-foot-high plinth, meeting flood elevation while also serving as an elevated planter which provides an additional measure of privacy.

A screen wall with perforations of varying diameters was utilized on the north and south facades of the first floor to create an added layer of privacy and protection from sun exposure. The screen walls allow light and air to filter into adjacent spaces while concealing the program within. An operable louver system and large overhangs shade bedrooms and private quarters. This concept is buttressed by exterior terraces between the screen walls and glass. The entire west portion of the ground floor opens to the exterior pool terrace with fully pocketing glass walls. The majority of the glass facing west has a large overhang protecting from direct sun exposure and preserving unrestricted views to the water beyond.