MARK SULTANA SCOTT GROSS

Mark Sultana and Scott Gross of DSDG Architects in Sarasota, FL, have just finished working on a third modern home design for one particular client, and are well on their way to house number four. Initially referred by a previous client who loved Mark’s designs, this homeowner was a developer in Austria who retired to Florida, where his passion for modern architecture has run wild. Although he is having these homes built for himself, he builds often and moves frequently. The home he occupies now was originally on an empty lot a few doors down from the previous residence, also done by DSDG Architects. It is a larger lot, better oriented toward the water, and also on the widest portion of Sarasota Bay, approximately two miles across. Both lots sit on the bay, but the original didn’t have the unobstructed views as the newer one does. For this house design, capturing that view in as many spaces as possible was the most important aspect of the project. Mark and Scott succeeded in designing the home with views from every room of the house except the powder room, elevator and a small TV viewing room.

Mark describes his design process as “transforming words into pictures.” He begins by reading the clients’ wish list and conducting a lengthy question-and-answer session to get to know the clients and how they live. “I don’t believe you can design a house for a client unless you really know that client,” explains Mark. This skill of interpreting the words of his clients dictates the first floor plan. “When I am drawing a second plan,” says Mark, “I can see what the exterior is going to look like. It is like a hologram that happens. The clients can’t really see the finished product from the floor plan, so I don’t introduce the elevations until they are comfortable with and approve the floor plan.”

Mark does all the drawings in his office, though he will doodle ideas onsite to clarify certain concepts, if necessary. For Mark, the floor plan is like a puzzle. He compiles all the information from the clients and the site surveys, and sets about solving the puzzle. It doesn’t take many drafts because he is so well informed upfront. The challenges usually come from the property and government regulations, not the clients.

This is the first step—layout and floor plan. “Most clients like to see the floor plans hand drawn,” says Mark. “It gives the air that it is ‘a work in progress,’ and they can make changes as needed. If I present a floor plan in computer-aided design that is very professional-looking, they tend to be more hesitant about making changes.”

During the second meeting in the design process, Mark presents the front and back elevation. These are actually computer-generated 3D renderings made to look like they are hand drawn. For this project, he presented the elevations to his client who, as a former developer, appreciates the art and emotions the building evokes in him.

Only about one in 10 clients appreciate the hand-drawn nature of these elevations; the others want the photo-realistic renders. “We made the decision a long time ago to lean into the software as opposed to hand drawing,” notes Mark. “Most of our drawings are done on the computer because that is what our clients want and expect.”

As you can see from the final photos of the finished product, very few changes were made from the original drawings. Computer-generated 3D rendering has changed the architecture game considerably. Clients now have a greater sense of what the completed project will look like, so they don’t need to make so many changes during the construction process.

Resource:

DSDG Architects

Mark Sultana

Scott Gross

1348 Fruitville Road, Suite 204

Sarasota, FL 34236

941.955.5645 dsdgarchitects.com