BEST REMODEL | RENOVATION
COURTYARD HOUSE PL ATINUM
N AU T I LU S H O M E S
The Courtyard House—a classic Sarasota School of Architecture, Jack West home—was designed to be all about the slow reveal. With this idea in mind, a private enclosed courtyard captivated this intrigue at the front entry. A!er its original build as a spec home in 1965, the courtyard was demolished, but in this renovation, the homeowner wanted to pay homage to the original design intent. In 2019, Echt Architects and Hazeltine Nurseries redesigned the landscaping and additional architectural facade elements to honor that same unhurried divulgence. This original objective was reborn by creating a water feature with stepping stones and a singular perfectly placed topiary at the front entry, giving rise to a feeling of serenity before entering the home. From the privacy-protecting Clusia hedges to the Montgomery palm–lined driveway to the earthy wooden ba"ens at the front entry, the space feels secluded yet welcoming and spacious for guests. The home never had a pool originally; however, it is married so naturally with the space that it doesn’t seem it could have ever gone without. The crisp white pavers against the Caribbean blue pool are reminiscent of the sands of Siesta Key Beach against the lapping waves of the Gulf. The water is hugged by a flush firepit to create a zen balance of the elements. The pool is surrounded by an outdoor dining area with swaying palms situated to provide shade where needed, a bar for easy outdoor entertainment and a cozy sunken wood-burning firepit area that leads down to the dock. The Sarasota School of Architecture keeps Florida’s subtropical climate and easy indoor–outdoor lifestyle at the forefront. With these upgrades to the iconic Courtyard House, we were able to preserve the historic intent and integrity while creating a modern and mindful experience at the home.
Architect: Echt Architects Contractor: Ryan Perrone Builder: Nautilus Homes Landscaape: Hazeltine Nurseries Pool: Siesta Pools Photographer: Ryan Gamma Photography Other: BMMI, Native Sun Painting, Gator Plumbing, Black Jack Air & Mechanical, Direct Window & Door Supply.
THE ARGUEDAS HOUSE
GOLD
Architect: Seibert Architects, PA Contractor: Ball Construction Inc., Yoder Homes & Remodeling. Interior Design: Jennifer Masters, NCIDQ, ASID Carpet and Flooring: Slik Crete Photographer: Ryan Gamma Photography
78 | srq magazine_ MAR20 live local
S E I B ERT A RC HI T ECTS
This unique mid-century modern house suffered years of modifications and neglect. Doors and windows between inside and outside and between rooms, including bathrooms, had been removed. The original carport was closed in and an awkward storage area was added behind the master bedroom. Different flooring materials occurred throughout the house and some of the original stack-bond block walls inside and outside were covered with other finishes while other areas were still exposed. Essentially, the house had become a patchwork of incompatible materials and unfinished ideas, both interesting and ill advised. Fortunately, the unique roof structure made of Picket panels in a “V” formation was still present and was in reasonable condition. The new owners decided not to restore the house to its original condition due to the loss of square footage that this would require. Ultimately, the goal for the renovations was to bring into focus the unique and interesting aspects of the original mid-century design and to bring a cohesive aesthetic and organization to the house. New windows and doors were installed where missing and as replacements for others. The pool cage was replaced with a taller one that be"er related to the main interior space. Extraneous interior and exterior elements were removed and new exterior hardscape elements were added. Bathrooms were reconfigured and skylights placed above showers to introduce natural light into these otherwise small, dark areas. With low ceilings and no a"ic space, strategies for air-conditioning the house were integral to the solution for the house. Areas where the stack-bond block walls had been covered with other materials were damaged and unable to be restored. To achieve a consistent aesthetic inside and outside the house, wall finishes were replaced or added as needed. Similarly, floors were covered with concrete topping, and doors and doorjambs added and replaced for consistency.
