Skyhook
To embrace the views, the house is designed to “float” over the ground plane
This home on Sarasota Bay was designed to maximize natural daylighting, embrace aging in place, and living on the water. The challenge was to accommodate a couple with two growing children and address how they would live in the home today, 5, 15, and 25 years from now. The house was designed to take advantage of the water views on two sides of the property, providing a crucial connection to nature.
NOTABLE
AIA Tampa Bay Honor Award for Architecture, New Work Category AIA Tampa Bay Merit Award, Sustainability Category
CERTIFICATIONS
LEED Platinum Certification HERS rating: -3 (Beyond Net Zero)
CLIENT
Private Residence
LOCATION
Sarasota, Florida
SIZE
5,180 square feet
PHOTO CREDIT
Dylan Jon Wade Cox, Steve Cartano, Jonathan Parks, Julia Kantor
The main living space is cantilevered so the first floor is lifted 17’ high - as if held in place by an invisible “sky hook”. Walls of glass are oriented towards the bay and canal. The elevated open-air entry experience presents an immediate visual connection to the bay and natural daylight. The main living level looks out towards the pool, framing a dramatic view west.
Designed for aging in place, the home features wide entry doors, flush showers, easy-to-rotate handles, and accessible countertop heights. An elevator furthers these goals while a hand-crafted three-level staircase celebrates the journey from ground level to the uppermost floor.
The Owner and the Architect discussed “building the house of the future today” and a large part of this goal was to create a home that reduced dependency on the power grid and focus on nature. Addressing resiliency, the home was designed beyond code requirements for a VE floodzone, designated for coastal areas at the highest risk. As such, the home is over-elevated to protect from storm surges and flooding. Safety zones and impact resistant glazing are fortified. More than just a house, this residence looks to the future—where thoughtful design, sustainability, and resiliency are everyday priorities.
Team
Architect
SOLSTICE Planning and Architecture
Builder
Synergy Building Corp.
Interior Design
SOLSTICE Planning and Architecture
Photography
Dylan Jon Wade Cox, Steve Cartano, Jonathan Parks, Julia Kantor
Certifications
LEED Platinum Certification
HERS rating: -3 (Beyond Net Zero)
Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC) Platinum Certification
EPA Energy Star Highest Standards Certified
Indoor air PLUS Certified
DOE Zero Energy Ready Home Certified
Accolades
AIA Tampa Bay Honor Award for Architecture, New Work Category
AIA Tampa Bay Merit Award, Sustainability Category