This residence is a design solution for a busy professional couple with a large extended family. Their family dynamic demanded sufficient bedrooms and common areas to accommodate visits from their children and grandchildren. Their engagement with the barrier island environment was also pivotal to our design. The Lido Key site is breathtaking—a pie-shaped lot facing a very wide canal with a stunning view of Sarasota Bay and Bird Key in the distance. 

After examining the site and consulting with the clients, we agreed that the British West Indies-style vernacular would be perfect for their relaxed lifestyle. Our layout offers unobstructed views of the water and tropical surroundings throughout the house—a geometrical challenge, granted the shape of the lot.

Our resulting design honors the West Indies style. Interior living volumes take the form of high ceilings, clean lines, and large lanais and terraces.

Our resulting design honors the West Indies style. Interior living volumes take the form of high ceilings, clean lines, and large lanais and terraces. The 7,000+ square-foot house comprises the kitchen and great room, and a master suite and a guest suite on the ground floor. These living spaces transition seamlessly to outdoor decks and terraces facing the bay.

While the house’s common areas are open and connected, each room within has its own unique character and materials palette. For the rectilinear great room, blonde wood ceilings and an off-white ceramic tile floor set a casually elegant mood. For the kitchen, distinctive dark wood flooring, contemporary cabinetry, powder blue glass tile backsplash and an octagonal scheme set the stage as a place to prepare and enjoy culinary adventures. The kitchen flows into an exterior dining and living space with a separate grill and wood burning fireplace. This space easily accommodates parties of 30 or more—and also welcomes cozy intimate evenings for two. The second floor features three en suite guest rooms, an upstairs family room, and a gym space above the garage area. The relaxed elegance continues here as well.

This house’s front elevation also reflects the relaxed, but elegant West Indies vernacular. We defined exterior areas with decorative columns, classical details, and minimal ornamentation. Materials include a metal roof, and stucco walls. 

How to offer unobstructed sightlines of Sarasota Bay? We solved that design problem by rotating the axis of the rooms along the house’s northern face. This 45-degree orientation converges at the narrow end of the lot facing the water; it’s not apparent from the street view. 

Our clients were extremely open to creative thinking and problem-solving. The same can be said of our exceptional builders—Perrone Construction. The landscape design was by David Young of DWY Landscape Architects. Our collaborative spirit had a stunning result. A West Indies-style residence that makes the most of an exceptional site. A timeless combination of classic luxury, functional design, and relaxed tropical elegance.

– ARCHITECTS IN SARASOTA 2021  SEE MORE IN THIS SERIES