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THE MODERN RESIDENCE
"We strive to have our work provide a positive impact on the
communities in which the project resides."
—Jonathan Parks, AIA
ABOVE, LEFT, & FACING PAGE: The Element House is located on a narrow lot that
sits inside a flood zone on Sarasota Bay. The property had challenges to overcome
including constructing this project within 10 feet from the neighbor's home. In order
to define sightlines away from the neighboring property and to take advantage of the
open water views, we proposed an upside-down design, lifting living areas to the upper
levels and locating guest rooms and children's rooms on the ground floor, alongside
an informal family area. Above that foundation the upper main living level includes the
master bedroom, an open kitchen area adjacent to the main staircase, and the dining
and living spaces. The higher you climb in this home, the better the views become,
culminating with an upper-level social space with exterior deck. The project is one of the
highest rated sustainable houses built in the country, with a HERS Index of -26, which is
the third lowest score recorded in Florida.
Photographs by Ryan Gamma Photography
