This 5,000 square foot under air contemporary home has four bedrooms, four full- and one-half bath, and abounds with “green” features. Foam-filled masonry block was used along with Timber Strand Lumber (TSL), an engineered wood from young growth pine, which uses 96-percent of every tree cut. The siding is Nichiha sustainable fiber-cement. Windows are argon-filled, low-E, impact-resistant, and thermally broken to prevents the frame from heating up the interior. The Energy Star-rated white TPO roof reflects heat and reduces waste. Solar panels capture the sun’s rays and the house actually generates seven percent more energy than it uses. The landscape design’s drought-resistant plants are intentionally sparse to maintain the waterfront view.
Thanks to the neutral palette and wall-less design, the great room flows seamlessly into the dining area and kitchen. A charcoal Natuzzi sectional anchors the space on the owners’ existing rug, alive with multi-hued circles. A deep red Ligne Roset Ploum sofa offers more seating and the glass-topped Natuzzi coffee table reflects light from the fixed clerestory windows. A Napoleon LHD 50 gas fireplace is inset in a column-fronted charcoal split-face Shadowstone, a slate product designed to reduce waste. The 60-foot wall of windows floods the space with light yet is saved from the sun’s harsh glare by sheltering eaves.
The owners of this now spectacular home overlooking Sarasota Bay spent three long years working unsuccessfully with an architect on plans to replace their existing home. At the end of that time, they parted ways with the architect.
Mark Sultana of DSDG Architects stepped in, and in only five months, produced blueprints for a modern, yet family-friendly, home that captures many spectacular water views. His design realized the home his clients had envisioned, and in many ways exceeded their expectations. “I welcomed the strict timeline and budget,” recalls Sultana. “I enjoy such challenges and had a great time designing a contemporary, yet warm home, with open spaces to allow the family to be all together.”
“The reason I am successful is because I wholeheartedly listen to what my clients want. It is their house, not my house, and I work very hard to make them happy,” says Sultana. “I was delighted that, when the house was finished, the owners sent me an unsolicited email telling me everything was just perfect.” One of the ways in which the house achieved perfection was a vital one to builder Josh Wynne of Josh Wynne Construction—the home achieved the coveted Emerald Level certification from the National Green Building Standard, meaning every system was scrutinized, materials selected, energy and water use planned, waste management plotted, and all site specific conditions—even during the construction process—were carefully considered by Wynne, an internationally-known environmental builder.
Roche Bobois Pierce Circa chairs, upholstered in bright crayon-colored fabric, and an espresso wood table offer seating for eight in the dining area. White leather and chrome stools are tucked under the waterfall concrete island which is ingeniously balanced on the kitchen’s work island. Santa Maria and Wynne designed the cantilevered hanging light to accommodate the space’s differing ceiling heights.
The stained-maple staircase treads complement the tone of the bamboo Plyboo Neapolitan kitchen cabinetry and the floors in the master and guest rooms. Concealed plates in the depth of the treads float the staircase on strings of steel in front of the charcoal split-face accent wall, which echoes the great room’s fireplace column. The window provides not only light, but also a perfect view of a nesting Osprey family which returns to the same location annually.
24-by-24-inch Ceramica Magica tile melds the living spaces into a cohesive whole. Artwork above the fireplace sets the color scheme of the home at one end, red hand-blown glass pendants above the work island of this stunning kitchen add color to the other, and reflect off the white quartz countertop and custom-painted backsplash. Plyboo Neapolitan, a product made from bamboo strands, meticulously matched for tone and grading, covers the bottom cabinetry.
With the juxtaposition of sophisticated elements, Santa Maria was able to honor Sultana’s modern design and spotlight the home’s carefully installed finishes to create an award-winning residence.
The scale of the massive master bedroom is brought to a less intimidating size by the drop ceiling above the bed. The corner window array, overlooking the pool and the Bay, contains glass which resists 81-percent of the sun’s rays. Hidden blackout and daylight motorized window treatments provide privacy. A wenge-wood slatted bench and a red leather recliner offer seating. The custom bed, with gray tweed upholstered headboard and wenge-wood base, has attached glass-topped nightstands—shown here hosting a Murano glass sculpture.
The master bath’s spectacular tile installation connects the glass shower and the wall outside. Hexagonal shaped 3-D tiles from Wow Design EU are used on the tub wall and transfer through the shower glass to the flattened coordinating tiles inside the shower. Three colors from charcoal to white were employed to create a gradient effect. The design by Santa María required precision work by the artisans to complete the installation. A Hydrology freestanding tub with Hansgrohe chrome fixtures sits atop Basalt tiles by Ceramica Magica. The Silestone White Zeus Extreme countertop is illuminated by the embedded lights of the combination medicine cabinet/mirror by Robern. Dark stained- walnut cabinetry is under-lit to add a soft glow.
The three-sided Pebble Sheen infinity pool gets its Cerulean blue hue from ceramic tiles and contains interior seats for aquatic sunset viewing. Internal valves drop the water level by inches to isolate the flush hot tub set into the pool itself. Fiber optic lights, like many systems of the home, are controlled by smart automation from a phone or laptop. A custom gas fire pit is surrounded by a Lloyd Flanders seating group and wall-mounted sconces.
The same Ceramica Magica tile used inside continues down to the pool deck of the outdoor living space. A cedar ceiling sports twin fans to cool the living and dining area, serviced by a kitchen with Artisan grill from American Grill & Hearth, U-Line beverage cooler and sink, and an aluminum and wood dining table grouping. Chaises look out over the water and the pool deck which is clad in Atlas Concorde Brave Lustre tile. A clever roll-down screen, concealed in the ceiling, can be deployed to protect the space.
Fantastic views are afforded from the cleverly designed roof deck. Accessed only by a cantilevered stair on the home’s South side, a portion of the huge space is floored with Geo-Lam decking. The rest is covered in artificial turf, giving one the feeling of sitting in a rooftop garden, while helping reduce air-conditioning needs for the home beneath.
Written by Kitt Walsh Photography by Ryan Gamma
American Grill & Hearth 2881 Clark Road #16 Sarasota, FL 34231 941.925.3985 www.aghstore.com
Design Works 4500 Carmichael Avenue Sarasota, FL 34234 941.355.2703 www.floridadesignworks.com
DSDG Architects 1348 Fruitville Road, Suite 204 Sarasota, FL 34236 941.955.5645 www.DSDGInc.com
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