Noel Residence

Sarasota, FL, United States

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Noel Residence

Sarasota, FL, United States

Firm

Type

Residential › Private House

YEAR

2003

SIZE

3000 sqft - 5000 sqft

Achieving the perfect balance
of openness and intimacy…

Situated on two-plus acres,
this residence was designed to reflect the owner’s desire for a minimalist home
in which they could equally live and entertain. The concept of the layout was
to create a separation of these functions with architectural elements yet tie
the design together with light, form and repetition. The uncluttered design and palette of simple
finishes creates a sense of interior and exterior space that is wide open
without ignoring privacy.

The owner’s family spends
much of their weekdays with their young children and then on weekends
entertaining. The floor plan reflects these considerations and forms a distinct
delineation between public and private areas.
The sequence of arrival reinforces the layout of the house. A pool terrace between the private and public “wings” serves as
an entry courtyard to the home. The public wing opens to the outdoor pool
terrace and is accommodating to large gatherings. The private wing is designed to look inward
and away from the public areas for the comfort and privacy of the owners.

Inside, the public wing
encompasses the Entertaining Room, Kitchen/pantry and Powder Room. This area
entices guests to enjoy interior and exterior rooms as an extension of the
social experience. This wing features sixteen-foot ceilings, clerestory windows
and sliding glass doors which provide the interior with a sense of space and
light. Unencumbered doorways, glass
doors, vistas down long corridors, and wide sidelights grant natural light
throughout the course of the day.

The private wing comprises
the Family Room and three Bedrooms. When
the entertainment area is in use, the younger members of the family can relax
in the Family Room and their Bedrooms without inconvenience.

The further challenge
confronting the Architect was weaving the home into the surrounding environment
given that the home is sited on the corner of a busy intersection. To solution was to intentionally turns the
home’s “back” onto the busy street while opening it to the secluded concrete
and grassy terraces. In addition, the landscaping and choice of construction
materials form a silent barrier effectively blocking out the adjacent traffic
noise.

Through the use of
non-traditional building materials the Owner’s request for an energy-efficient
home was achieved. Insulating concrete form and fiberglass-framed windows
complement the design requirements. The result was certified FPL Build-Smart
Gold Level.