In a world where properties close to the sea have skyrocketed in price, it has become more important that incredible views, deep architectural sense and world-class materials converge with opulence in its most literal meaning. Designed by Affiniti Architects, this house at the Palm Beach in Florida attempts to interpret modern architecture, whilst merging bits and pieces of contemporaries as if to appease the lavishness of the family to occupy it. With a warm and cozy interior thanks to Marc Thee, the architects manage to deliver class and comfort in a location where this is the hallmark of architectural success.
The main entrance is a humongous door whose sight is overshadowed by a sprawling swimming pool that invites you into the compound, mixed with patches of green and concrete to create an elegant balance between the soft and hard landscape. At the backyard is an open courtyard, which you enter into by passing through a lounge – or you could choose to sit in the lounge and take pleasure from gazing at the waters and sand yonder.
The interior of the house is awash with exquisite materials and furniture. However, what mostly calms you down is the wood finish. It adds a lot of warmth and cooling effect in an interior that has been padded a lot by expensive features.
The stair is a grand manifestation of how far contemporary architecture has progressed, with glass frames complementing wooden handrails and treads, leading you into the private section of the house. Below the staircase, the interior designer incorporated a water feature to make use of the space that would otherwise be underutilized. In effect, there is a feeling that after walking around the house for a while every day, once you get to the staircase, you will be made to stop and absorb the sheer surprise the water feature creates before taking on the steps.
What the architects manage to articulate very well is the views to the sea. From every space in the room, you can see and absorb mindboggling views of the ocean and sunset. It’s an impeccable feat to achieve, but an integration of large windows and balconies makes the spaces even more expressive with a feel of openness. It’s an intimate space that washes you with emotion from the interior to the exterior. The separation of functions allow the user’s most intimate spaces to have a sense of privacy, drama, and directness towards an exterior that supersedes the room when your eyes are set on it.
Project Information
Architects: Affiniti Architects
Interior Designer: Marc Thee
Location: Palm Beach, Florida, USA
Photography & Video: Chibi Moku
Completed: 2016
