COURTYARD HOUSE NAUTILUS HOMES

BEST LANDSCAPE DESIGN - GOLD WINNER

COURTYARD HOUSE

NAUTILUS HOMES

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. After 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 privacyprotecting Clusia hedges to the Montgomery palm–lined driveway to the earthy wooden battens 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 Landscape: Hazeltine Nurseries Pool: Siesta Pools Photographer: Ryan Gamma Photography Other: BMMI, Native Sun Painting, Gator Plumbing, Black Jack Air & Mechanical, Direct Window & Door Supply.