The New York company uses a century-old process to successfully mirror the look of historic buildings.

At a major university expansion project in the Southeast, collaboration and cooperation among the construction management firm, window and door manufacturer, and installation contractor resulted in several stunning projects recreating the look of the surrounding century-old buildings. All totaled, Hope’s Windows, Inc. supplied over 1,200 unique windows made from custom hot-rolled steel profiles and nearly 100 high traffic and fire-rated door assemblies made from 10 and 12 gauge cold-rolled steel.

Modern residential colleges with timeless appeal

Layton Construction, a nationally-ranked commercial contractor with ten offices around the United States, was asked to serve as construction manager on a multi-phase project at a prestigious university. The project, managed out of the company’s Nashville, office, includes three new Gothic-style residential colleges designed to closely mirror the timeless appeal of the original 100-year old buildings on the university’s campus.

Layton’s number one goal was to achieve the architect’s vision. Washington, DC-based David M. Schwarz Architects (DMSA), along with local architect of record Hastings Architecture, had been charged with creating a residential college where students live, dine, socialize, and study together, while closely matching the century-old architectural style, including use of steel windows, slate-colored ceramic roof tiles, and custom lighting fixtures.

According to Sean Farrell, construction manager at Layton, establishing collaborative relationships is key to success in complex, multifaceted projected such as these. So, though it is uncommon, Farrell decided visits were in order to the subcontractors with products most likely to affect the ambitious aesthetic vision – and the complicated construction schedule. One of these companies was Jamestown, NY-based Hope’s Windows, Inc.

Specialty window manufacturer produces 100 percent customized products

The local window company hired as the subcontractor turned to Hope’s Windows for the windows and doors, because it has the unique ability to handle the sizes and intricacies of some of the units needed to fulfill the vision for the project.

“With a business based on 100 percent customized design and manufacturing, Hope’s provides a specialized skill set to assist clients in design and production of unique window and door assemblies,” explains Brian Whalen, vice president of sales. “Meeting the expectations of Layton Construction in combination with the aesthetic vision of the client and architect was definitely a challenge.  In business since 1912, Hope’s had the global experience to make it happen.”

On Farrell’s visit to Hope’s facility he became intrigued with the company’s process model, which calls for constructing windows the way they have been constructed for 100 years. He learned that Hope’s is very particular on what they elect to build, and he walked away impressed with their capabilities.

“One thing I learned was that I would have to adjust my thinking when it comes to how long it takes to get the product versus other manufacturers that have more automated manufacturing processes,” he says. “Hope’s is more hands-on manufacturing. They have modern tools and lasers, but the hand-fabrication process takes longer.”

To deal with schedule concerns, the group worked together to establish clear priorities and milestones. Hope’s project manager Jim Gruber worked tirelessly with the teams to identify the windows and doors needed at each phase of construction. Layton Construction monitored the delivery process closely because it was important to get the windows in time to close the buildings and complete the finishes.

A window into the windows

Hope’s worked closely with the lead design architects right from the beginning of the process to fulfill their design wishes, providin numerous iterations of product details, samples, mock-ups and product specifications. The first phase took about a year from selection to installation.

The work included some highly specialized units, such as fire-rated units required for use in stairwells and some kitchen areas. “We performed additional fire-rated testing so the University Series^TM products desired by the customer would properly comply with all required testing and life-safety codes,” Whalen says. “Meeting unique customer and project challenges is truly what we do every day.”

The outside frame of the windows has a beveled edge to mimic the old putty glazing used in the original steel windows. In addition, the hot-rolled steel used in the process is the exact same process perfected over centuries. Another important feature is the sight lines – the dimension of frames that is visible. Hot-rolled steel used in the Hope’s Windows process results in a minimal frame profile.

Whalen acknowledges that the project was a real test of Hope’s capabilities. He is especially proud that Hope’s was able to expedite the schedule even in the face of design changes and in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Changes were made along the way that might have pushed back the delivery schedules for some, but Hope’s made adjustments during the production process todeliver all materials on time.

 “It was a fantastic collaboration among all the parties,” Whalen says. “Hope’s worked closely as the manufacturer to fulfill the architect’s design vision, and then the installer worked closely with us to make sure everything was executed properly.” 

“Construction is all about relationships,” Farrell concludes. “We’ve created a long-lasting relationship with Hope’s Windows, and I consider them a true partner in meeting both the expectations of our clients and the demands of our schedule.”

Blustery winds and an idyllic view guided the collaborative design of a luxury rereat on the island of O‘ahu for a married couple, their four children, and their extended family.

“The site is beautiful, but there are high winds,” says architect Peter Vincent, who’s practiced in Honolulu for 30-plus years. “Having a chef’s kitchen and outdoor dining out of the wind was part of the program.”

The rest of it? There was the renovation of a developer’s 2010 spec house—and a new guest house, swimming pool, and pavilion/dining area/gathering space.

All are aligned along a walkway laid in Peruvian limestone—a travertine path lined by an allée of palm trees—that leads eyes past beach and breakers to a pair of islands. “It separates the more private family spaces on the left and the entertainment spaces on the right,” Vincent says. 

The clients searched long and hard to find this site. They looked on the Big Island, only to discover cliff-dwelling homes, not beachfront properties. When they came across this house and its adjacent vacant lot, they rented it for a week—a test drive of sorts. 

Within three days, they’d arrived at how to lay out the property. “We knew we had to buy the adjacent lot, put the pool behind it, and the guest house behind that,” the husband says.

Once it had all been designed and built, Vincent recommended local landscape architect Rick Quinn, principal of HHF Planners, and San Francisco–based Surfacedesign. Its founder, landscape architect James Lord, is a graduate of Harvard’s landscape architecture program who cites Italian architect Carlo Scarpa and Brazilian landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx as key influencers.

Here, that kind of design heft shows up—in spades. “We had a meeting in Los Angeles, and Surfacedesign presented the idea of a tide pool garden,” Vincent says. “I’d envisioned a courtyard and a fabulous landscape, and that’s what they brought to the table, with different levels of pools inside and out.”

Lord and Surfacedesign created a seamless interaction between landscape and architecture, with coral walls that blur the lines between inside and out. They got rid of paved black surfaces, allowing driving on the lawn, an infrequent occurrence here anyway. Then they transformed the entire site into gardens—on the land and in the water. “The way the stones float and meet is the way Scarpa’s designs work,” Lord says.

“I looked at tide pools that trap bodies of water, where little sea creatures come in and are protected,” he says. “A series of low walls out on the lawn act as interfaces with the beach—and we lowered the pools as they move back, so you’re protected and do not lose the view.”

The pool pavilion features a dining lanai, with a gathering space inside. It was designed with 12-foot columns and a 25-foot tall roof. “That’s the height limit, and it’s in keeping with the existing two-story house,” Vincent says. “It’s a really large roof that signifies Hawaiian design, and having the wall height be that tall allowed transparency for the view.”

The clients had looked at other properties on the windward side of the island, and found gusts that blow up to 30 miles per hour. So here, the wind drove the placement of their swimming pool. “The pavilion blocks the wind so we can enjoy the pool,” the husband says. “Conventional wisdom would be to put the pool closer to the beach, but we put it down behind the pavilion.”

It’s three feet below grade, and water flows from it down to a living pond. “Surfacedesign created an area between the pool and the living pond, for a sense of being one with the water and the plants and the property,” he says.

Behind the pavilion, the guest house feels a little lower, though it is 10 feet tall, with three bedrooms and its own interior living space. “It’s positioned so it looks over the pool, through the pool pavilion, and out to the ocean,” Vincent says. “It still feels connected but it’s buffered from the wind—it’s an oasis and a courtyard.”

The client’s wife is a garden and plant lover, and was involved from the get-go in selections both outside and in. “With James, we came up with the idea of plantings in the bathrooms of the guest house,” she says. “There are orchids when you’re taking a shower, because I’m fascinated by blooming plants.”

Outside, the complex is a series of experiential excursions from the moment of entry. “You arrive, passing through a wall at the street,” Lord says. “There’s a second wall inside, and you see out to the islands in the ocean.” Then there’s a secret garden, a new wall, a tidal pool, and another wall. Finally, there’s the immersive blast from those Pacific winds.   

For more information, visit pva.com; sdisf.com; hhf.com.

The Who’s Who in Residential Coastal Design

If you’re dreaming of creating your oceanfront dream home anywhere from the sand shores of the Gulf Coast to the dramatic coastline of the Pacific Northwest, then you’ve come to the right place: Our annual list of the country’s top coastal architects includes some of the most influential, visionary minds in the field.

ALABAMA

Christopher Architecture & Interiors

Birmingham

Known for: Luxury, high-end design, specializing in custom residential and boutique commercial projects, as well as estate and land planning. Specializes in one-of a-kind, “snowflake”-like projects, influenced by topography and contextual vernacular.
Highlight: Cover story for Southern Home’s July/August issue.
In the works: Homes on Alabama’s Lake Martin, in Charlottesville, Pittsburgh, Rochester, Alys Beach, and Lexington, Kentucky

christopherai.com

Jeffrey Dungan Architects

Mountain Brook

Known for: A clean, modern approach to traditional vernaculars and classical architecture.
Highlight: Southeast Architect of the Year Award from Veranda magazine and ADAC.
Highlight: A number of awards from the American Institute of Architects.
Highlight: The Institute of Classical Architecture and Art named Dungan a Shutze fellow. 
Highlight: Luxe magazine award for Best Interior Architecture.
Highlight: Completion of the firm’s first home in California.

jeffreydungan.com

CALIFORNIA

Appleton Partners LLP,  Architects 

Known for: Both contemporary and traditional in styles. The firm’s architecture strives for an appreciation of place and time. The work is diverse and eclectic, and they reject the idea that a successful design practice needs to be “branded” or have a consistent signature style, or that architecture always has to shout.
Highlight: The San Ysidro Ranch Renovations in Montecito, California. Awards: Institute of Classical Architecture & Art (ICAA) Arthur Ross Awards for 2022, and the Luxe Red Awards.
In the works: Oceanfront home in Southern California, Rose Tarlow Showroom in West Hollywood, and G.W. Smith Renovations in Woodside, and Montecito, California.

appleton-architects.com

Burdge Architects

Malibu

Known for: Diverse styles, most notably coastal contemporary, from the Pacific Coast to the mountains of Idaho. 
Highlight: California’s first zero-carbon home at Marisol Malibu. 
Highlight: Created 2022 Idea House with Sunset magazine.
Highlight: PCBC Golden Nugget for Best Health/Wellness Design Solution, runner-up for Best One-of-a-Kind Home, and Best Indoor/Outdoor Lifestyle for a Home. 
In the works: Three new carbon-neutral homes at Marisol Malibu.

buaia.com

Ike Baker Velten

Oakland

Known for: Warm, comfortable, and inviting houses that reflect a personalized approach to the living environment.
Highlight: New book from John Ike and Vendome Press, to be released spring 2023.
Highlight: New offices in Oakland, California.
In the works: New houses and renovations in California.

KAA Design Group

Los Angeles

Known for: Advancing the California lifestyle through contemporary architecture for more than 30 years. 
Highlight: Luxe RED and AIA Merit Awards. 
Highlight: KAA Partner Grant Kirkpatrick was inducted as an AIA Fellow.
Highlight: Coverage in Architectural Digest, Interiors, House Beautiful, Luxe Interiors & Design, and Homes & Gardens.
In the works: Residential projects in Barbuda, Hawaii, Washington, D.C., Montana, California, and Dubai.

kaadesigngroup.com

Landry Design Group

Los Angeles

Known for: Attention to form, proportion, and detail, and a variety of styles, from Italianate villas to modernist estates.
Highlight: Four Gold Nugget Awards.
Highlight: Three Best in American Living Awards.
Highlight: The ICAA Southern California Chapter to honor Richard Landry at its Legacy Dinner in October.
Highlight: Recently completed works in Montreal and Beverly Hills.
In the works: Residences in Miami and Malibu.

landrydesigngroup.com 

Marmol Radziner + Associates

Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York

Known for: A warm, modern style of design that emphasizes the relationship between architecture and nature. 
Highlight: New homes completed in Santa Monica and Montecito. 
Highlight: Architect of the Four Seasons Resort in Cayo Largo, Puerto Rico. 
In the works: Homes in Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Dana Point, La Jolla, Santa Cruz, Lake Tahoe, Westport, Kauai, and Cabo San Lucas.

marmol-radziner.com 

McClean Design

Orange

Known for: Contemporary homes with a clean architectural aesthetic, ample use of natural light and water, plus seamless transitions between indoors and out—and excellent views.
Highlight: AIA Orange County Honor Award 2021.
Highlight: Completed Laurel II (with Annette English + Associates), Cordell (with ColabHouse), and Folsom (with Magni Kalman Design).
In the works: Nearing completion on many projects; Breaking ground on new designs by year-end.

mccleandesign.com

Paul Brant Williger Architect 

Beverly Hills

Known for: A diversity of projects in a wide range of traditional styles.
Highlight: 2020 ICAA Julia Morgan Award.
Highlight: 2020 Luxe Regional and National RED Awards for Traditional Architecture.
Highlight: 2018, 2019 Santa Monica Conservancy Awards for Preservation.
Highlight: Restoration, remodeling and addition to Greta Garbo’s former house in Beverly Hills.
In the works: Projects that will come to completion in 2022, and a new slate of diverse projects.

willigerarchitect.com

Walker Warner Architects

San Francisco

Known for: Timeless, enduring architecture for inspired living, with a deference to the surrounding landscape.
Highlight: Residential and hospitality work in California, the Rockies, and Hawaii.
Highlight: 2022 Architizer A+ Popular Choice Award.
Highlight: 2022 Luxe Regional RED Award.
Highlight: 2022 Residential Design magazine Architecture Award Citation.
Highlight: Completion of a residence called Wahi Lani on Hanalei Bay in Hawaii.

walkerwarner.com

CONNECTICUT

Austin Patterson Disston Architecture & Design

Norwalk

Known for: Bespoke projects with an intimate scale and tailored interiors, whether in the Hamptons, on the Connecticut shore, or in the country. 
Highlight: A majority of projects in Agrarian Modern and Shingle Style, incorporating traditional and modern elements. 
Highlight:  Residential Architect Design Award from Architect magazine. 
In the works: New projects in the Hamptons, Connecticut, and Florida.

apdarchitects.com

Cardello Architects

Westport and Greenwich

Known for: Not for one style, but for the ability to play many notes—from respectable, chic Georgian homes to modern stylings. 
Highlight: A-List Awards from At Home in Fairfield County magazine, along with finalist status in two categories.
Highlight: Completion of an ocean home in Rowayton. 
In the works: Adding staff members that blend with the company culture seamlessly.

cardelloarchitects.com

Charles Hilton Architects

Greenwich

Known for: Architectural designs that reflect regional building traditions, that integrate well-crafted materials, and that reflect each client’s unique needs and personality. 
Highlight: A 2022 AIA Connecticut Alice Washburn Award.
Highlight: A 2022 Unique Application Project of the Year from Ludowici.
Highlight: A 2022 Luxe RED Award.
In the works: Projects in California, Long Island Sound, St. Croix, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and New York.

hiltonarchitects.com

Shope Reno Wharton

Norwalk

Known for: Artfully blending classical and traditional stylistic languages with expansive fenestration and open floor plans—in well-proportioned, Shingle-style homes—for coastal properties, family compounds, mountain retreats, townhomes, and suburban estates.
Highlight: Listed in Architectural Digest’s AD100, the Luxe Gold List, Links magazine, and Top 10 of Golf’s Most Impressive Clubhouses.
In the works: Projects on Cape Cod, in the Hamptons, in Rhode Island, and in Southern Florida.

shoperenowharton.com

VanderHorn Architects

Greenwich 

Known for: A variety of styles, efficient and thoughtful planning, thorough research within an extensive office library, and timeless solutions for difficult sites.
Highlight: Winner of an AIA Alice Washburn Award for third consecutive year. 
Highlight: An influx of suburban and coastline clients.
In the works: New homes spanning the Rhode Island coastline to New Jersey and beyond, with a number of waterfront homes in Greenwich and neighboring towns.

vanderhornarchitects.com

Wadia Associates

New Canaan and Palm Beach

Known for: Using historical precedents of classic architecture to inform its designs, updating them for the modern age, and creating a variety of home styles from a classic Bermuda Cape Dutch to an English Country Manor and everything in between. 
Highlight: Recognized as one of the Top 10 Traditional Architectural Firms in the World.
In the works: A broad range of projects across the United States, in the Caribbean, and other parts of the world.

wadiaassociates.com

FLORIDA

Arquitectonica

Headquartered in Miami, offices worldwide

Known for: Luxury contemporary living from Miami Beach to Monaco, and designing more than 50 residential buildings along Florida’s coast. 
Highlight: Completion of the 50-story Ritz Carlton Residences Sunny Isles Beach, named development of the year. 
Highlight: Three Awards of Excellence from American Institute of Architects. 
In the works: Miami’s ONE Park Tower and projects in Miami, Miami Beach, West Palm, and Tampa.

arquitectonica.com

Brillhart Architecture

Miami

Known for: Redefining the relationship between buildings and landscapes—with natural environments for living in the tropics.
Highlight: 2021 AIA Florida Honor Award for 125th Street Residence; 2021 AIA Miami Honor Award for Brillhut in Eleuthera; 2021 AIA Miami Merit Award for Stewart Avenue Residence.
In the works: Project on Harbour Island.

brillhartarchitecture.com

Choeff Levy Fischman

Miami, Tampa

Known for: Global recognition as a leader in Tropical Modern architecture, enhancing the sensibility and appearance of South Florida’s most prominent residential enclaves.
Highlight: Opening an office in Tampa. 
Highlight: A 2022 Luxe RED Exterior Architecture Award for a Di Lido Island, Miami Beach, home.
In the works: Designs for waterfront residences in Florida and the Caribbean.

clfarchitects.com

Cronk Duch Architecture & Planning

Jacksonville, Palm Beach, St. Augustine, and Charleston

Known for: Thoughtful and beautiful homes that integrate site features with outdoor and indoor interplay. 
Highlight: 2022 Addison Mizner Awards, ICAA for Abaco Inn Cottages, Elbow Cay, Bahamas.
In the works: An expanded Caribbean footprint with new design commissions throughout the chain of islands; select commissions trending toward contemporary architecture with authentic origin materials and sensibilities.

cronkduch.com

Phillip James Dodd

Palm Beach and Greenwich

Known for: Designs rooted in traditional regional architecture, like Spanish Mediterranean in Florida and Colonial Revival in New England.
Highlight: 2022 publication of An American Renaissance: Beaux-Arts Architecture in New York City with foreword by Julian Fellowes, creator of Downton Abbey.
Highlight: Winner of the Elizabeth L. and John H. Schuler Architectural Award in Palm Beach.
In the works: A country estate for a family in Greenwich.

pjdbespokedesign.com

Hughes Umbanhowar Architects 

Hobe Sound 

Known for: Responding to nature, because while modern architecture can be rather repetitive at times, nature never is. Drawing inspiration from the surrounding context, whether it be texture, form, or materiality.
Highlight: Designing a new beachfront family compound in Saudi Arabia, integrating Muslim customs and values with a contemporary, streamlined home.
In the works: Single-family residence on Jupiter Island, designed with an uninterrupted view of the Atlantic.

huum.com

Khoury Vogt Architects

Rosemary Beach 

Known For: Modern classicism, largely shorn of overly elaborate ornament but retaining a traditional compositional character and strongly tectonic forms. 
Highlight: Completion of several large compounds in Alys Beach, Florida.
In the works: A boutique hotel with fitness area and spa—along with beach house—for Kaia Beach Resort on the Gulf of Mexico, several large compounds at Alys Beach, and a new Gulf-front house there with rooftop pool that overlooks ocean and town.

khouryvogt.com

Guy Peterson/Office for Architecture 

Sarasota and Cashiers, North Carolina

Known for: Regional modernism defined by its sense of place, the use of color, indigenous materials, light, and shadow for a softened Bauhaus aesthetic—and a clear, sustainable architecture. 
Highlight: Jury member for this year’s State of Arkansas AIA Design Awards Program.
Highlight: Homes completed in and around Sarasota, plus Siesta Key.
In the works: Two new Gulf-front house commissions, both now on the drawing board; two more under construction.

guypeterson.com

SDH _ Studio Architecture + Design

Miami

Known for: Warm, contemporary, and tropical architecture, with a strong emphasis on function, form, natural light, and a connection with the landscape.
Highlight: Designs for several oceanfront homes of more than 15,000 square feet, and more than 20 new high-end, single-family homes. 
Highlight: Named Best Architects in Miami by Expertise, 2017–2022. For six consecutive years, Houzz gave SDH the Best Design and Service Award.
In the works: A waterfront home in Golden Beach.

sdhstudio.com

Silberstein Architecture

Delray Beach

Known for: Award-winning architecture for residences that have been published extensively and are considered works of art. Designs that are about timelessness, peacefulness, and spirituality.
Highlight: Florida Design magazine covered the design of a residence on Hypoluxo Island, completed this year.
In the works: A boutique hotel on Little Conch Key, a five-story condominium/mixed-use project, and an eight-unit townhome project, both in Delray Beach.

silbersteinarchitect.com

[Strang Design]

Miami, Sarasota, Winter Haven

Known for: Environmental stewardship and respect for the evolution of modernism in residences across Florida, the Bahamas, and the Caribbean. Coastal experts in design for sea-level rise and hurricanes.
Highlight: Publication of a second monograph, Subtropic.
Highlight: Honor Awards for Design Excellence from AIA Florida and AIA Miami, for restoration of the Gene Leedy Residence in Winter Haven, Florida.
In the Works: New residences in the Florida Keys and the Bahamas.

strang.design  

Studio KHORA

Miami, Pompano Beach

Known for: Contemporary minimalist architecture and interior design style based on the language of deconstruction.
Highlight: Rebranding Studio KHORA to elevate its core business in contemporary architecture to an art movement.
Highlight: Opening a California office in late 2022.
Highlight: 2021 AIA Distinctive Detail Award for the I House.
Highlight: Miami’s 29,000-square-foot G House achieves contemporary art status.
In the works: The Z House is nearing construction.

studiokhora.com

GEORGIA

Harrison Design

Atlanta, California

Known for: Homes with craftsmanship and quality reflecting a wide range of styles.
Highlight: A reputation for creating residences in many of the country’s most popular destinations.
Highlight: An AIA Atlanta Honor award for residential design, a Palladio, and the 2022 Southeast Designer and Architect of the Year Awards for Architecture.
In the works: Residences in the Golden Isles, Naples, Palm Beach, Malibu, Santa Barbara, and along the northeastern seaboard.

harrisondesign.com

T. S. Adams Studio

Atlanta and Santa Rosa Beach, Florida

Known for: Designing homes that are rooted in history, working with clients to ascertain the style that inspires them, and creating homes that respond architecturally.
Highlight: A Palladio Award.
Highlight: Southeast Architect of the Year Finalist.
Highlight: ICAA Southeast Shutze Award.
Highlight: Projects in Alys Beach, Middle Georgia, and St. Simons Island.
In the works: Projects in Nevada, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Alabama, North and South Carolina.

tsadamsstudio.com

HAWAII

de Reus Architects

The Big Island Kamuela and Wailea, and Sun Valley

Known for: Architecture that resonates with the inherent nature of the site, and personalized individually for each client.
Highlight: A new book, Sanctuary, due out in early 2023 from ORO.
In the works: Design for a clubhouse at Makena Golf and Beach Club on Maui; undertaking the incorporation of the One Planet sustainability platform into its services; the beginning of a small-scale residential community in Sun Valley, with geothermal hot springs.

dereusarchitects.com

MAINE

Winkelman Architecture

Portland

Known for: Creating a synergistic link between the environment and a structure through stylistically diverse, fresh, and creative designs distinguished by a highly collaborative, craft-driven, and open-minded approach.
Highlight: 2021 Maine AIA Design Award, Honor Recipient.
In the works: Quahog Farm, a contemporary, highly energy-efficient oceanfront home that nestles into the topography and is covered with planted roofs.

winkarch.com

MARYLAND

Purple Cherry

Annapolis, Charlottesville, Middleburg, and White Sulphur Springs

Known for: View-oriented properties, and expertise across a range of architectural vernaculars and interior design styles.
Highlight: Architectural Digest feature story on a 10-structure generational compound on the Chesapeake Bay.
Highlight: Luxe magazine RED Award.
In the works: Projects in Massachusetts, Florida, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.

purplecherry.com

MASSACHUSETTS 

Patrick Ahearn Architect

Boston, Edgartown

Known for: Classic American architecture for contemporary living, balancing the romance of traditional design with modern ideals.
Highlight: Completion of a coastal Cohasset homestead plus ongoing projects on Martha’s Vineyard and in the Boston suburbs.
Highlight: Best of Boston Home 2022, Best of the Vineyard 2022.
In the works: Properties on Duxbury Bay, Martha’s Vineyard, Cape Cod, and Lake Erie, Ohio, and throughout New England and British Columbia.

patrickahearn.com

Hutker Architects 

Vineyard Haven, Falmouth, and Plymouth

Known for: Evolving the art of dwelling and instilling essential qualities to create healthy, energy-efficient home environments that embody clients’ values, ideals, and aesthetics.
Highlight: 2022 Best Architect, Best of Boston.
Highlight: Celebrating 35 years of Hutker Architects.
Highlight: Grand opening of Boston studio at 14 Beacon St.
In the works: Coastal family compound on the Cape and a summer retreat in Rhode Island.

hutkerarchitects.com

Morehouse MacDonald and Associates

Lexington

Known for: Work in many design vernaculars, based on clients’ dreams, location, and context. Shingle-style architecture plays a role in many projects.
Highlight: New homes in Kiawah, South Carolina, and St. Kitts.
Highlight: A Shingle Style renovation in Gloucester,  a coastal cottage renovation in Hull,  and the completion of a large new estate in Nevis, West Indies.
In the works: Schematics underway for a new marina building in Christopher Harbour.

morehousemacdonald.com

Nicholaeff Architecture + Design

Osterville

Known for: Combining aspects of location-specific modern and classical architecture, while abstracting clients’ wishes and aesthetic sensibilities. For all projects, using local, sustainable materials and applying and incorporating the newest technologies.
Highlight: Designing a family home in Maine and a golfer’s dream home.
Highlight: Past awards include PRISM, BRICC, and AIA New England.
Highlight: Design of an enclosed pool structure, integrated with an existing brick home.

nicholaeff.com

Polhemus Savery DaSilva Architects Builders

East Harwich

Known for: Fully integrated architecture and construction. Creating custom Shingle-style homes that celebrate creative design and quality craftsmanship.
Highlight: Multiple PRISM, BRICC, and Bulfinch Awards in recent years.
In the works: Design and construction of waterfront homes in Brewster, Chatham, Cotuit, Orleans, Osterville, Truro, and the South Shore of Massachusetts.

psdab.com

SV DESIGN

Beverly and Chatham

Known for: Designing beautiful and functional spaces that transforms lives.
Highlight: Multiple PRISM, BONS Home, and Chatham Preservation Awards. IFDA New England award for Best Commercial Design.
Highlight: Celebrating 35 years.
In the works: Coastal compound in Rhode Island; multiple waterfront residences in Cape Cod and across the North Shore of Massachusetts.

svdesign.com

NEW YORK

Barnes Coy Architects

Bridgehampton, New York

Known for: Innovation grounded in the principles of modernism: taking inspiration from the site and the client’s program, rigorous investigation of materials best suited to the design, and thoughtful design of construction details.
Highlight: ADEX 2022 Premium Award for Design.
Highlight: In 2022, completed waterfront homes in Southampton and East Hampton and on Florida’s Treasure Coast.
In the works: A house on St. Barthelemy in the French West Indies.

barnescoy.com

Bates Masi + Architects

East Hampton

Known for: A timeless style that seamlessly integrates with the place in which it is located.
Highlight: Work on an international level.
Highlight: The second monograph of the firm’s work will be released late in 2022.
Highlight: 2021 AIA NY State Honor Award, 2022 AIA Peconic Honor Award, 2022 AIA Peconic Merit Award.
In the works: An oceanfront residence in Amagansett and two waterfront residences—in Montauk and East Hampton.

batesmasi.com

BMA Architects

Bridgehampton

Known for: Sophisticated, luxury residential architecture in the most sought-after locations in the world.
Highlight: AIA Long Island’s Award for Excellence in Architecture.
Highlight: Editorial coverage in Architectural Digest, the New York Times, and Architect magazine.
In the works: A recently opened Miami office is currently working on commissions in South Florida, as well as four mountainside homes in Monterrey, Mexico.

BMAarchitects.com

Deborah Berke Partners

New York

Known for: Deeply rooted, place-specific modern houses that enrich and elevate everyday life with timeless designs that are at once warm and elegant.
Highlight: Deborah Berke, who serves as Dean of Architecture at Yale University, was elected a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters.
In the works: Reimagining an 1884 East Hampton boarding house as a single-family home.

dberke.com

Bohlin Cywinski Jackson

New York, San Francisco, Seattle, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Wilkes-Barre

Known for: Designing to the nature of each circumstance, resulting in architecture that feels simultaneously grounded and transcendent.
Highlight: Completed its first winery design, Caymus-Suisun Winery in California.
Highlight: AIA NW+P Honor Award, for Boundary Point Cabin.
In the works: New residences in the San Juan Islands, Big Sur, Southampton, and Cape May.

bcj.com

Fairfax & Sammons

New York City and Palm Beach 

Known for: Specializing in residential architectural and urban design, where classicism in the domestic realm offers both timeless and beautifully creative solutions.
Highlight: Two 2021 Stanford White Awards: Upper East Side Apartment in New York, and Hotel Bennett in Charleston.
In the works: Projects in Palm Beach, Manhattan, The Bahamas, and Virginia.

fairfaxandsammons.com

Alexander Gorlin Architects

New York

Known for: Homes that enhance the experience of a site, creating spaces that are a sanctuary of calm and spiritual contentment.
Highlight: Included in the 2022 Archello list of Top 25 Architects in New York.
Highlight: Comunilife Award for affordable housing in the Bronx.
In the works: Renovation of the historic 1840 Admiral’s House on Governors Island in New York Harbor.

gorlinarchitects.com

Steven Harris Architects

New York 

Known for: Work that is deceptively modest and focuses on the character and location of its site and the ways in which the owners will use the house.
Highlight: Interior Design Best of Year 2021 and listed in Architectural Digest’s AD 100.
In the works: Upcoming projects in Southampton and Easthampton, plus Santa Cruz.

stevenharrisarchitects.com

G.P. Schafer Architect

New York 

Known for: Houses designed to evoke emotion and make tradition livable for a modern lifestyle through a seamless integration of architecture, interior decoration, and landscape design.
Highlight: 2020 Bulfinch Award from the New England Chapter of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art.
Highlight: 2022 Julia Morgan Award from the Northern California Chapter of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art.
In the works: Projects in Maine, Florida, and California.

gpschafer.com

Kligerman Architecture & Design

New York

Known for: Distinctive design rooted in tradition but modern in its sculptural forms, taught detailing, glass expanses, and often a touch of whimsy.
Highlight: New book from Thomas Kligerman and Monacelli, released October 2022.

Leroy Street Studio

New York

Known for: Diversity of work, using aesthetics as a means to an end, and as a tool for capturing large-scale opportunities of site and landscape.
Highlight: NYCxDesign Honoree, Social Impact Award for East Village Homes.
Highlight: Completing several residences in New York and Long Island.
Highlight: Collaborating on a design-build project with neighbors in Chinatown, and working with Asian Americans for Equality and Think!Chinatown on the Chinatown Nights festival.

leroystreetstudio.com

Martin Architects 

Sagaponack

Known for: Engaging the modern world with organically scaled, thoughtful modern work, collaboration with clients, and dedicated relationships with craftsman.
Highlight: 2021 AIA Honor Award.
Highlight: Two AIA Long Island Archi Awards and an Architizer Award.
Highlight: Completion of addition and renovation to Charles Gwathmey’s Tolan House in Amagansett Dunes.
In the works: A net-zero house in Atlantic Beach and projects in the Hamptons, Manhattan, and Riyad.

martinarchitects.com

Peter Pennoyer Architects

New York and Miami 

Known for: Sophisticated detail, high-quality craftsmanship, and nimble balance among comfort, beauty, modernity, and continuity with the past.
Highlight: 2021 Stanford White Award from the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art.
Highlight: A new book of the firm’s work to be published by Vendome Press in fall 2023.
In the works: The Benson apartments in Manhattan, a Kentucky horse farm, a Moorish villa in Palm Beach, and an Art Deco house in L.A.

ppapc.com

Stelle Lomont Rouhani Architects

Bridgehampton 

Known for: Casual, warm modernism using rich natural materials and a strong dialog with natural surroundings.
Highlight: Design for Deb and Hugh Jackman House published in Architectural Digest.
Highlight: 2022 Luxe RED National Design Award.
Highlight: Opening a second office in Manhattan.
Highlight: New monograph from Rizzoli to be published later 2022/early 2023.
Highlight: Completing a new, site-sensitive, farm-view house in a hamlet in the Hamptons.

stelleco.com

Robert A.M. Stern Architects

New York

Known for: Sophisticated residential, commercial, and institutional projects, from the Virginia General Assembly Building in Richmond, Virginia, to a record-breaking apartment building at 220 Central Park South in New York.
Highlight: Transforming the Bicentennial Buildings into the Yale Schwarzman Center, recognized by the Society for College and University Planning with an Honorable Mention.
In the works: South Flagler House, a mixed-use development in West Palm Beach.

ramsa.com

Workshop APD

New York, Nantucket, Greenwich, and Minneapolis

Known for: Modern, meticulously crafted residences, developments, hotels, and restaurants tailored to their locations, purposes, and the people who inhabit them.
Highlight: The firm’s first monograph debuted Sept. 6 with Rizzoli Books.
Highlight: AutoCamp Cape Cod project won an Interior Design Best of Year Award.
Highlight: Named to Interior Design’s Giants list.
In the works: Its second yacht design, a duplex at New York’s Four Seasons, and homes in Nantucket and Florida.

workshopapd.com

NORTH CAROLINA

Kersting Architecture

Wilmington

Known for: Regionally tempered modernism that learns from time-tested coastal architecture while engaging with the challenges of the present. 
Highlight: Two new partners welcomed to the firm: Toby Keeton and Mark Wilson.
Highlight: 2022 2nd Place People’s Choice Award in NCMH Matsumoto Competition.
Highlight: Completion of Long Branch Residence in Morehead City.
In the works: Luxury coastal residences plus new projects in the hospitality market.

kerstingarchitecture.com

RHODE ISLAND

Andreozzi Architecture

Barrington

Known for: A new traditional architecture, respectful of history and its local context, with concentrations in traditional styles, but completely modern in plan and technologies.
Highlight: Included in Top 50 Traditional Architects in the World.
Highlight: David Andreozzi has been president of New England chapter of the ICAA and chairperson of the AIA Custom Residential Network.
In the works: Projects from New England to Florida.

andreozzi.com

TEXAS

Michael G. Imber, Architects

San Antonio

Known for: Homes rooted in the vernacular architecture of their regions, in harmony with their landscapes while sympathetic to a modern lifestyle.
Highlight: Working on mixed-use additions to the Town Center of Alys Beach.
Highlight: Completing a Mexican hacienda on the sea in Cabo San Lucas.
In the works: Projects in Miami, on Florida’s 30A, in Texas Hill Country, on Tennessee’s Blackberry Mountain, and mountaintop ranches in Colorado and Montana.

michaelgimber.com

WASHINGTON

Cutler Anderson Architects

Bainbridge Island

Known for: Designing for each circumstance, resulting in no particular style, but an appropriate solution across multiple envelopes and conditions.
Highlight: Projects in the Czech Republic, Singapore, and the Southern U.S., in forest and desert environments.
In the works: A residence in Washington State that will be an excellent fit to its ecosystem and place, and afford both privacy and excellent views of the water to its owners.

cutler-anderson.com

Heliotrope Architects 

Seattle

Known for: Attentiveness to what is human, a promise to do right by the land, and design that outlasts trends.
Highlight: 2021 Regional RED Award from Luxe magazine.
Highlight: 2021 Honor Award for Restaurant Design from the Los Angeles AIA.
In the works: A dozen homes within the San Juan Archipelago, homes in the Cascade Range and Seattle area in Washington State, a winery in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, and several restaurants in the Seattle area.

heliotropearchitects.com

Olson Kundig

Seattle

Known for: Work that responds to and expands the context of built and natural landscapes, serving as a bridge between nature, culture, histories, and people.
Highlight: Opening a new New York City office.
Highlight: 2022 AIA National Housing Awards for the Rio House and Costa Rica Treehouse.
Highlight: 2022 AIA National Architecture Honor Award, The Century Project at the Space Needle.
In the works: Projects in California, New York, Oklahoma, Georgia, Washington, and Hawaii.

olsonkundig.com

THE CARIBBEAN

Grand Cayman

Known for: Influenced by traditions of the Caribbean Islands, and informed by their siting and the environmental influences “of this place Cayman.”
Highlight: Growth of an unprecedented proportion, extending across the three Cayman Islands.
Highlight: A leading solution provider of exclusive high-end beach residences in the region.
Highlight: Developing solutions to mitigate challenges of climate change and sea-level rise with inland overwater residential designs.

johndoak.com

Skape Design + Build

Grace Bay, Turks and Caicos

Known for: High-end, luxury villas for the short-term rental market, in typically modern style with warm wood tones reminiscent of beachfront property in Bali.
Highlight: Completion of a modern home, called Solara, in Turtle Tail.
In the works: Design of innovative properties that flirt with Brutalism styling, featuring large, glass curtain walls in a hurricane-threatened environment in Turks and Caicos.

skapetci.com

Two alums from North Carolina State’s architecture program—one a client and the other a designer—teamed up in 2017 to create a contemporary waterfront home at Pine Knoll Shores.

Michael Schley graduated from the School of Design in Raleigh in 1975. He went to work for a large Houston firm for 10 years, then readjusted the arc of his career trajectory. “I realized that I was not the great design talent to which I aspired,” he says. “And I got into facilities management software.”

The late Michael Kersting graduated from North Carolina’s State’s College of Design in 1990, practiced for three years in Santa Fe, then set up shop in 1995 in Wilmington, North Carolina. When Schley and his wife, Karen, called him about designing a retreat on the beach, Kersting took full measure of Schley’s success: “He jumped out of architecture and into software—and went on to earn enough to hire an architect,” he said.

And not just any architect. Kersting and his associates are known for designing high-end, custom homes on the coast and across North Carolina. Most are contemporary. “One influence for our office is that we’re big fans of architecture built in the 1970s on Fire Island [off the coast of Long Island, New York]” he said. “That’s what we were trying to tap into here, to let the landscape and modern architecture be bold.”

Their clients didn’t want their new home to be a replica of a midcentury modern, but to stand on its own as a 21st-century beach house. Kersting agreed. “We wanted clean and classic, not retro,” the architect said. 

On the Schleys’ oceanfront lot, a maritime forest and an 18-foot-tall sand dune offered a pair of landscape challenges. “When we first saw the site, you could barely walk through it because of the wax myrtle, cactus, yaupon, and live-oak tangle,” Kersting said. “And we wanted to preserve that dune as much as possible—it’s our protection, our wall that keeps the water out.”

The Schleys wanted to take advantage of every possible view, so Kersting and his team unleashed a drone to find the best site lines over the dune. They presented preliminary designs to the Schleys, who liked them, but Michael Schley suggested that the architects double-check the vistas. “We then proposed a totally new design that was clear of the dune and higher than what we’d originally selected,” Kersting said. “It was a very good challenge by the client, and the new design turned out to be a much better solution.”

The program for the home, completed in 2020, is two-pronged. First, there are the guests: The couple wanted to invite their extended family to the beach for large gatherings. “We have three daughters with children, and needed spaces for kids and adults,” Karen says. “We wanted enough bedrooms, so there are six bedrooms and five and a half baths.”

But the couple wanted intimate space for themselves, too, for the times when they’re the only ones home. “What we designed was a space where Michael and Karen could feel very comfortable living by themselves,” Kersting said.

The house consists of five levels, built on a hybrid of timber/concrete/steel pilings that lift it up so the architects could explore the spaces between floors. Each half-flight of stairs leads to a specific wing of the house. At the lowest level are the basement and entry, then bunk and rec rooms, then guest bedrooms, then public spaces, and, finally, the Schleys’ private space—with the very best views.

Interior designer Leslie Stachowicz worked overtime to align fixtures, furnishings, finishes, and the Schleys’ art collection into Kersting’s architecture. “Nothing is ornate—there are very clean lines,” she says. “The scale of the furniture is a bit low, for the views and because of the ceiling heights. It was a great way to play with the scale and embrace that space and make it feel bigger.”

Jeremy Bishop, owner of Sterling Custom Construction, was a natural choice for builder, since he earned an architectural education working in Kersting’s office before setting out on his own. “I take the drawings and work with the architect and the client to make their vision come to fruition—with a high level of detail and craftsmanship,” he says. “Here, there were intricate details like mitered corners with cedar shingles.”

The cedar cladding on the exterior will weather to silver/gray over time. And there’s a touch of mahogany in just the right places. “At the porches and entry, where people get closer, the mahogany offers a warm counterpoint,” says project architect Toby Keeton.

“Mobius House” may be pure 21st century, but it’s sited on land once owned by Theodore Roosevelt, the early 20th-century Progressive who said, “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”

Surely he’d approve of the progress made here. 

For more information visit kerstingarchitecture.com

Award-winning firm delights in designing spaces that blur the line between indoors and outdoors

SPONSORED CONTENT WITH NICHOLAEFF ARCHITECTURE + DESIGN

A home designed by Nicholaeff Architecture + Design is an exquisite balance of fine design. With her experience, instinct, and artful eye, Doreve Nicholaeff AIA, the firm’s principal, hones this delicate balance whether the architecture has the heft of the traditional or is delightfully modern. Her firm’s work has brought a constellation of awards, the most recent the inclusion in Ocean Home’s Top 50 Coastal Architects 2022, for the fifth year.

Nicholaeff, who is based in Osterville, Mass., on Cape Cod, designs homes throughout the East Coast, from Maine to Florida. Each residence is imbued with a unique ambience that separates it from all others; the effect is incredibly freeing.

Nicholaeff revels in letting her imagination and skills flow freely when she steps into a project. A native of South Africa, she grew up seeing homes that embraced the natural world and invited casual movement between the indoors and the world outside.

Visualizing a subtle separation between the interior and exterior worlds brings her creativity alive. She has found the joy of embracing a soft fusion of the two environments. Oceanfront homes hold great appeal for Nicholaeff, since they allow her to celebrate the special relationship formed by the land, sea, and the always-fascinating skies above.

When a design is influenced so greatly by the ocean and sky, there is a natural focus on light. “You really have to think about the orientation,” Nicholaeff says. “If the view is north-facing, we catch and funnel as much sunlight as we can. In one north-facing home on Cape Cod, we pulled light from the south with clerestory windows and roof lights toward the north.”

Another oceanfront home designed by Nicholaeff Architecture + Design is oriented to bring ocean views to many rooms, including the primary bath and an artist’s studio. On the main floor of the house is a dramatic circular space with an island that serves as a prep area for drinks. This was a special request of the homeowner. “He wanted a bar where everyone would have a view of the water. It’s fun and engaging,” Nicholaeff says.

Last year, Nicholaeff and her staff designed a pool house and a treehouse – both have automatic screens opening completely to the outside. Again, there is the beauty of the soft line between nature and living quarters. The existing main house is very traditional, and the couple wanted “a family space that would be organic and part of the land and trees, even on a rainy day.”

While the pool house and tree house are structures with their own purpose, they very much have their own special identity. “It’s one of my favorite projects,” Nicholaeff says, with its serene setting and a cantilever deck that hovers over land.

For more information, visit nicholaeff.com

South Florida continues to be a top of mind destination for vacation homes for those escaping the chilly weather up north for a warm beachfront utopia.

Coming soon, these four residential buildings will be adding luxury residences to the worldwide known skyline, including world-class design by talents such as Tara Bernerd, OMA and Sieger Suarez Architects, notable brands like Bentley and Cipriani, and first of its kind experiences and amenities created exclusively for residents.

Here’s a firsthand look at the upcoming top luxury condominium towers in South Florida either on the market or releasing this fall.

Bentley Residences, Sunny Isles Beach

Status: Launching sales gallery and first look at a model residence fall 2022

The first Bentley branded residential tower, Bentley Residences is a 62-story residential building projected to have more than 200 luxury condominiums. Located in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida, the condos at Bentley Residences will offer unparalleled, ocean, bay, and Miami skyline views. Equipped with a number of state-of-the-art amenities, including a restaurant, cinema, whiskey bar, gym, pool, spa and cigar lounge, and cabanas, this luxury residential building is a utopia within one of the hottest cities in the world.

Estimated completion in 2026, Bentley Residences is developed by Dezer Development and designed by Sieger Suarez Architects. With a prime location in Sunny Isles, Bentley Residences is within walking distance of RK shopping centers and restaurants. By car, Bentley Residences is 40 minutes from the Miami International Airport, 45 minutes from downtown Miami, and 50 minutes from the FTX Arena (formerly known as American Airlines Arena). Bentley Residences will deliver three-bedroom residences priced from $4.125 million. 

Alba Palm Beach, West Palm Beach

Status: In pre-sales, the development received a strong response with more than 30 percent of the building reserved.

Alba Palm Beach houses a collection of 55 two- to three-bedroom residences, and 4-bedroom townhomes with direct waterfront views.

The development is situated on 1.71-acres with direct Intracoastal frontage, and a private dock with boat slips reserved for residents only. The tower’s entire sixth floor is dedicated to amenities, including a sunrise pool overlooking the Intracoastal, a sunset pool for the warm afternoon sun, as well as dedicated grill and lounge areas. The on-property state-of-the-art fitness studio includes cardio, resistance training, and yoga. There will also be virtual conference spaces, theater, and multi-sport simulator rooms.

The development’s sleek and modern design is by West Palm Beach-based Spina O’Rourke + Partners. Every residence features spacious layouts with oversized glass-framed terraces with summer kitchens and panoramic views. Floor-to-ceiling hurricane impact windows and sliding doors are installed on all terraces. Additional highlights include Italian-designed kitchens by Italkraft, stainless steel appliances by SubZero® and Wolf®, spa-like baths with designer fixtures and finishes, and wiring for high-speed data, media connectivity, and smart-home technology.

The limited collection of four townhome residences each have their own unique two- or three-story designs. The property’s private elevators and vestibules offer privacy and seclusion. 

Introductory pricing starting from $2.5 million. albapalmbeach.com

Cipriani Residences Miami 

Status: Accepting reservations and converting to contracts fall 2022, coinciding with the full sales launch

Miami-based developer Mast Capital has announced an exclusive partnership with Cipriani to bring the brand’s first-ever ground-up residences to the US. Located in Miami’s thriving Financial District, Cipriani Residences Miami will harness the essence of the brand, recognized for its distinguished style, world-class service and four generations of history and tradition, to deliver an unprecedented residential lifestyle for the area.Cipriani Residences Miami will deliver 397 one- to four-bedroom residences priced from $1.4 million. The tower is expected to complete at the end of 2025. Sales and marketing are exclusively handled by Fortune Development Sales.

The Perigon, Miami Beach

Status: Accepting reservations now and fully launching sales fall 2022

A joint venture between Mast Capital and an affiliate of Starwood Capital Group has assembled a team of the world’s most respected design luminaries to give life to the newest, ultra-luxury oceanfront condominium on Miami Beach – and the city’s only pre-construction project directly on the sand – The Perigon. With architecture by OMA New York, the internationally acclaimed firm founded by Rem Koolhaas, elegant interiors by Tara Bernerd, the inimitable interior architect known for her hotel and private yacht projects, and landscape design by Gustafson Porter+Bowman, the firm responsible for redesigning the green space at the Eiffel Tower and delivering the powerful Princess Diana Memorial Fountain in London’s Hyde Park, The Perigon was conceived as Miami Beach’s premier destination for oceanfront living.

Situated in Mid Beach at 5333 Collins Avenue, along the tranquil stretch of sand between Indian Creek and the Atlantic Ocean, the building is poised to become one of the most recognizable in the area for its bold, terraced design that rises 17 stories above the shoreline.  There will be 72 spacious two- to four-bedroom residences ranging from 2,100 to 6,700 square feet, priced from $4 million. Sales and marketing are exclusively handled by Douglas Elliman Development Marketing.

Ōlara, West Palm Beach

Status: Coming to market this fall

Offering wellness-inspired amenities, effortless hospitality and service and an exclusive, balanced lifestyle with unobstructed views of the Intracoastal Waterway, Palm Beach Island and Atlantic Ocean, Ōlara is a transformative waterfront four-acre new development comprising premier condominium residences,luxury apartments, a marina and world-class culinary offerings located at 1919 N. Flagler. Developed by Savanna, a New York City-based real estate firm, the project is launching its condominium component, Olara Residences, later this year. The lifestyle was thoughtfully designed to keep mind and body in tune and features a curated suite of wellness-inspired amenities and resort-style experiences bridging East Coast taste with West Palm verve. 

The development is designed by award-winning architecture firm Arquitectonica with interiors by Gabellini Sheppard Associates, and is expected to break ground in early 2023. Ōlara Residences will offer one- to four-bedroom residences. There will be over 70,000 square feet of amenity space, including an acclaimed waterfront restaurant, signature state-of-the-art fitness center and spa, two pool areas each specifically dedicated to leisure or swim, marina with boat slips and direct Intracoastal access, dedicated residents lounge, waterfront veranda with grills and fire pits, co-working space and more. Prices are forthcoming.

(Above) “We wanted to create a moment of quiet for our clients, something that would be a respite from a busy day.” —Paul McClean, Founder, McClean Design, Orange, California. Photograph by Stefanie Keenan

For a recent project in Los Angeles, architect Paul McClean along with Plus Design Studio was tasked with creating a sanctuary-like spa. “Our client wished for a wellness retreat adjacent to the home fitness center, so we wanted the wellness room to serve as a decompression chamber of sorts, using soft stone in a simplistic way that offered all the modern amenities of a resort spa,” explains McClean. 

Lined with Calacatta marble and floor-to-ceiling glass, the tranquil space provides a respite pre- and-post-workout and a seamless transition to the fitness area. “It was important that it be related to the gym and adjacent lightwell,” explains McClean. “The lightwell is a water courtyard and includes a sculpture [designed by us] and an extensive green wall.  The approach of bringing borrowed natural light to the gym area is repeated with the sliding glass panels that separate the wellness area from the gym.”

To design a cohesive aesthetic, the stone was strategically positioned. “The biggest design challenge was to situate multiple functions into a single space without the room feeling compartmentalized,” adds McClean. “We carried the stone throughout and separated the functions with floor-to-ceiling glass, which helped unify the space. I love how the stone flows and unites, creating a sense of calmness and well-being.”

1. Cedar Sauna, Nordic Sauna, nordic-sauna.com

2. Inox Stainless Steel Shower Fixtures (Selected by Plus Design Studio), Blu Bathworks, blubathworks.com 

3. Full slab Calacatta marble, Volakas Marble, volakasmarble.com

4. Calacatta marble vanity and wood shelf.

For more information, visit mccleandesign.com; Interior Design by Plus Design Studio, plusdesigngroup.com

Photographs, top to bottiom, by Stefanie Keenan, by Mike Kelley

Do you know why beach houses are on stilts or how they are even constructed? Read below for that information and so much more.

For many years, homes constructed on the beachside have been built on top of tall, sturdy, and durable stilts.

These homes stand right next to the water’s edge, providing a restful retreat with a relaxed atmosphere and stunning sea view. 

If you have ever visited a beach or coastal area, chances are you have seen these types of houses. But do you know why they are on these long stilts or how they are even made?

Take a few minutes to dig into the fascinating history of why beach houses are built on stilts (hint: it’s not just for the view) and the exciting and detailed information on how they are constructed. 

Why Are Beach Houses Built on Stilts?

The primary and most significant reason beach houses are built on stilts or pilings is to keep them safe from natural disasters and flooding. This form of home construction dates back centuries, including 5000 to 500 BC in the Alps and surrounding areas. These houses were built for elevation above wetlands, rivers, and lakes. At the time, they were called pile dwellings.

While technology in construction and architecture has changed dramatically over time, the objective remains the same: avoiding damage to homes in coastal areas.

Although brutal destruction caused by the forces of angry seas, rivers, and lakes will always remain the primary reason we build homes on stilts today, it isn’t always the only reason.

So what other benefits come from these out-of-the-ordinary houses?

• A beautiful view above the water’s edge
• Keeps home free of pests
• Provides more protection from intruders
• Provides living space in areas that would otherwise go unoccupied
• Stays sturdy even built on sand that is known for shifting and eroding

There are many benefits to beach houses being erected atop sturdy, tall stilts called pilings. So, how are they made?

How Are Beach Houses on Stilts Built?

Planning the design of a beach house on stilts, as you can imagine, is more complicated than drawing up a blueprint for your typical grounded home; it is also much more expensive. If you are planning to build a stilt house, there are a few things to think about before moving forward.

Pre-Construction Phase

Before building a stilt home on the edge of or above a body of water, you must go through a pre-construction evaluation and expenses checklist. These coastal homes are more costly to construct and require many more hoops to jump through regarding rules and regulations.

• Zoning and location
• Hurricane, tornado, and flooding risks
• Materials needed for specific areas to withstand the weather and elements
• Permits and permit fees (surveying, licensing, impact)
• New built land preparations
• Blueprints from a professional architect

These steps take considerable time and dedication to ensure you are getting the safest home while still suiting your needs.

Construction Phase

As the construction of a beach home begins, workers start with determining the grade (or level) required for that specific location and stilt house. This means deciding how high off the ground the stilts will sit. The local building departments provide this in each area based on flood maps.

Once you know how high the first floor must sit, stilts are erected by driving them into the ground, two feet deep (at low tide) or more, depending on the size of the home and the environment around you.

Once your stilt beach house plan is in place, you must prepare suitable materials for your home, including the deck, patio, etc.

Post Materials

Traditionally these posts would be bamboo or other types of wood found in the surrounding areas. Today, however, it is more common to use steel or concrete, especially when the home is built right next to water.

Posts can range from six to 25 feet in height and will anchor and support the home to land once construction is completed.

Siding Materials

Materials for coastal home siding are just as important as the ones used for the stilts. The best siding for these buildings is brick, granite, or fiber cement, the more popular option today.

These types of siding are the better choice because they are durable, strong, and can withstand the wind, salt from the water, and many other natural elements.

Roof Materials

Typically shingles are the go-to when constructing a roof on a home or building. However, these materials are no match for strong winds, harsh rains, and other rough weather. For that reason, metal roofs like galvanized and stainless steel are much better options.

Metal roofs are also much better at resisting damage caused by mildew, rot, and termites. Plus, this roof will reflect sunlight rather than absorb its heat.

Other durable options on beach home roofs are clay tile, Western red cedar, and slate.

Windows and Doors

Coastal homes must have specific doors and windows with more durable glass than typical inland houses. This has everything to do with the daily wind, waves, and natural elements these homes face.

When living on the edge of the water, your house will be more exposed to higher winds and flying or floating objects, so the glass on each entrance or opening should have the ability to withstand these issues.

When installing windows and doors into your home, you must purchase impact-resistant products, preferably with a double glaze. 

Impact-resistant glass has a sound core that won’t shatter upon impact, whether due to being struck by an object or in the middle of an earthquake, tsunami, or tornado. It is also ideal for dulling outside noises and protecting your home from intruders.

Double glazing your glass will help save on utility bills by creating a secure barrier between the outdoor temperatures and elements and the conditions inside your home. 

The Nuts and Bolts (and Nails)

You should consider even the most minor details when building a home on a beachfront property. These items are exposed to water, salt, and other debris 24/7, which can significantly affect them. 

During construction, all nails, screws, and bolts should be galvanized, dipped, or coated with a weather-resistant material to ensure they never rust or develop algae, mold, or mildew.

Things to Consider When Building a Beach House on Stilts

Beach homes are a popular attraction for many people searching for houses near coastlines due to the spectacular views and exotic feel. However, sometimes the appeal of its beauty will win you over before you consider all the factors.

Beach Homes on Stilts Can Be Expensive

Planning and constructing a beach house can get very expensive very quickly. These houses require a lot of details, permits, and materials to ensure they are safe and livable.

To get an idea of how much the construction will cost, research every item that requires payment:

• Blueprints
• Permits
• Contractors
• Electric, plumbing, utilities
• Materials (weather- and environment-proof)
• Size of the home (the bigger it is, the more expensive it will be)
• Excavation and land clearing before building

Maintenance of Beach Homes on Stilts

Beach homes are exposed to some of the roughest and most damaging elements nature has to offer. When you own a home on stilts, you must maintain it over the years to ensure it is as safe and structurally sound as when it was first constructed.

Some of the maintenance jobs you can anticipate include:

• Roof repairs
• Siding repairs
• Power washing
• Caulking
• Window replacements
• Painting

Safety of Beach Homes on Stilts

You want to ensure you and your loved ones are safe inside and outside your home. So, whether you buy a beach house or build one yourself, you should take safety measures very seriously and ask all the right questions.

• Is the structure sound?
• Are the entrances and windows secure (especially if you have children and pets)?
• Is the location safe?
• What are the codes and regulations for the area?

Are Beach Homes on Stilts Safe?

Many people ask if beach homes on stilts are safe to live in. These houses are subject to severe weather risks and environmental conditions that cause corrosion and material breakdown. 

While materials made for rough conditions will keep the buildings more secure than any other option, they can still break down over time, even galvanized steel and concrete structures.

With that said, these homes can be as safe as any other as long as they are frequently inspected and maintained. There are professional inspectors you can hire to come out and look over your property to ensure everything is on the up and up and your family is safe and secure.

Summing Things Up

Beach houses on stilts allow you to own a home as close to the water as possible. They provide families, couples, or individuals with a one-of-a-kind sea view and a chance to sleep, eat, and reside alongside the shore. This is accomplished by propping houses above sea level on sturdy, tall stilts.

While living so high off the ground might seem a little precarious at first, with the proper materials, permits, construction, and planning, your beach house on stilts can be just as safe as any other home – and come with a view that is simply unbeatable!