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Schoolhouse Modern
Schoolhouse Modern
Longboat Key, FL, United States
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Other Projects by Sweet Sparkman
Schoolhouse Modern
Longboat Key, FL, United States
Firm
Type
STATUS
Built
YEAR
2023
SIZE
1000 sqft - 3000 sqft
Located in the historic village of Longboat Key, Schoolhouse Modern is a thoughtful renovation and expansion of a 1926 wood-frame structure originally built as a one-room schoolhouse. Over the decades, portions of the home’s wraparound porches were enclosed, gradually transforming the building into a single-family residence. The design challenge was to restore the home’s relationship to the landscape while adding a modern, elevated primary suite that meets current FEMA floodplain requirements.
The renovation opened up the existing structure, replacing a living room wall with large sliding glass doors and converting an enclosed porch into a light-filled study with floor-to-ceiling glazing. These changes restored sightlines and reestablished a connection to the surrounding property. The new primary suite—elevated above base flood elevation—was positioned at the northeast corner of the site to preserve a mature banyan tree. The space below the addition, enclosed for use as a workshop and storage area, maximizes function within the floodplain constraints.
Aesthetically, the project embraces contrast. While the original structure retains its 1920s Florida vernacular character, the new addition introduces contemporary materials and methods—masonry, concrete, expansive glazing, and a flat roof. Warm-toned aluminum siding adds depth and richness, highlighted by a custom mitered corner detail that eliminates typical trim for a crisp, modern finish. A glass corridor connects the old and new, allowing natural light to flow through while clearly distinguishing between eras. A complementary guest suite addition, designed in the same vocabulary as the original schoolhouse, completes the composition.
The result is a layered architectural narrative that respects the past while embracing the present—an evolution in form that reflects how homes adapt over time without losing their character.
The renovation opened up the existing structure, replacing a living room wall with large sliding glass doors and converting an enclosed porch into a light-filled study with floor-to-ceiling glazing. These changes restored sightlines and reestablished a connection to the surrounding property. The new primary suite—elevated above base flood elevation—was positioned at the northeast corner of the site to preserve a mature banyan tree. The space below the addition, enclosed for use as a workshop and storage area, maximizes function within the floodplain constraints.
Aesthetically, the project embraces contrast. While the original structure retains its 1920s Florida vernacular character, the new addition introduces contemporary materials and methods—masonry, concrete, expansive glazing, and a flat roof. Warm-toned aluminum siding adds depth and richness, highlighted by a custom mitered corner detail that eliminates typical trim for a crisp, modern finish. A glass corridor connects the old and new, allowing natural light to flow through while clearly distinguishing between eras. A complementary guest suite addition, designed in the same vocabulary as the original schoolhouse, completes the composition.
The result is a layered architectural narrative that respects the past while embracing the present—an evolution in form that reflects how homes adapt over time without losing their character.
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