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RESIDENTIAL DESIGN AWARD OF HONOR
Island Modern, Key West, FL
Raymond
Jungles, Inc., Miami, FL
Compact, but powerful . . . deals with a small site so well
. . . the walls disappear . . .. . particularly nice use of local
color and stone . . .the landscape architect’s role in reconfiguring
the interior space to take advantage of outdoor space is notable.
2005
Professional Awards Jury Comments
After purchasing a nondescript residence on a 10,000 square
foot corner lot in a popular resort island community, the
client selected the landscape architect based on recommendations
from the realtor and the architect. Both had seen previous
projects where he had articulated the architecture and garden
to fuse them into one, and maximize the indoor-outdoor living
potential. In order to achieve the best solution for outdoor
living and entertainment, which was a critical program element
for this part-time New York based family, the landscape architect
made critical decisions for the interior floor plan, vehicular
and pedestrian circulation, and general treatment of the structure.
The budget was very restricted for renovations to the structure.
No more than 50% of its value could be spent on renovations,
or it had to be demolished and a new structure designed to
meet current codes would need to be built. This was out of
the question for the client who wanted a livable garden oriented
vacation house within a very constricted time frame.
The landscape architect’s duties were as follows:
· Suggest interior floor plan layout and window and
door placement, in order to provide the best indoor-outdoor
views and spatial relationships
· Suggest the removal of parts of the structure to
allow for pocket gardens
· Design all hardscape and site improvements; for example,
carport, entry trellis, entry gate, privacy fences, planters,
walls, fountains, pool, water garden and master bathroom garden
· Planting design
· Lighting design
· Color selection for residence and garden architecture
· Site furnishing selection
· General consultation on architectural renovation
and interiors
This project exemplifies the landscape architect’s
role in shaping the built environment to enhance the user’s
lifestyle, appreciation of art and nature, and the beauty
of a garden. Plants were not only selected for their beauty,
but for their parsimonious water requirements and appropriateness
to the site. Indigenous plants were utilized to create a privacy
buffer while providing a habitat for local birds and insects.
Landscape architects must have a thorough understanding of
the built environment as well as the natural environment.
This project demonstrates the importance of the landscape
architect’s involvement at an early stage in the development
of a project to better articulate landscape and building.
The community is buzzing about the new project which utilizes
the entire site, as well as a borrowed landscape. When the
sliding doors on both sides of the residence are completely
open, the indoors and outdoors are transformed into a singular
space. The pool becomes an extension of the kitchen and dining
room; the living room becomes one with the water garden. All
natural and manmade elements co-exist: water and rugs, plants
and furniture, soil and stone floors, birds and books. This
small scale garden/residence encompasses the universe.
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Interior View: Interior
space is defined by the fountain wall. Planting beyond
the wall suggests that the forest was cleared to this
point only. The fountain enlivens the interior space especially
with night lighting. Since insects are not as problematic
as they are in other parts of Florida, the doors remain
open most of the time (photo: Lanny Provo).
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Detail of the fountain
wall and water garden. The pond supports fish and plants,
while providing relaxing views and sounds to the person
experiencing it (photo: Lanny Provo).
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View from inside the library/guest
room. Interior and exterior spaces flow and integrate
(photo: Lanny Provo).
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Pool garden four months
after completion. Circular driveway is history. Pool is
narrow but long for swimming laps. Steps, seat ledge and
deck complement outdoor living space (photo: Lanny Provo).
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Detail of the pool garden
at lanai. Note the water chute. This fountain produces
a pleasant, gentle sound and is directly opposite the
water garden/fountain wall on the other side of the flow
through living spaces. Livable spaces flows from property
line to property line (photo: Lanny Provo).
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Indoor/outdoor shower:
One can shower indoors with a feeling of being outdoors.
Others can visually share and enjoy the space without
invading the privacy of the bather (photo: Lanny Provo).
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