Van der Vlugt Residence

This residence positions itself as a sophisticated outpost along a desolate and relatively untouched stretch of coastline in the Upper Florida Keys. Its unique and natural site offers an unhurried counterpoint to the intensities of the nearby Miami metropolis. The home partially engages a pre-existing berm while also demonstrating a certain degree of freedom from the low-lying landscape. Elevated ten feet off the ground to account for sea level rise and potential storm surge, the first level includes a covered terrace with an open-air gym facing the water and a cluster of concrete columns that support the 50-foot cantilever, concealing an outdoor shower. . This staircase acts also as the “joint” connection of the home’s curvature, where both axes meet to mimic the site’s waterfront boundary. Floor to ceiling windows allow natural light to pour into the house, while strategically placed louvers help with shading and cooling. An open floor plan is only separated by the stairs. The exterior material of board-formed concrete makes its way inside of the library, contrasted against a curved white bookshelf. The owner’s suite is encased with sliding glass doors with views to the water, with metallic imprints of the board-formed concrete acting as a feature wall for the bed. The third level hosts two more bedrooms for the family’s children and the owner’s main office with a covered terrace that overlooks the Atlantic Ocean.