TipTop House

Designing a secluded and sustainable getaway
Situated on a narrow 70 foot wide lot, this 3,750 square foot LEED Platinum residence was designed as a secluded ‘getaway’ that the couple could use just for themselves or to host family and friends. Residing in Lido Shores, an iconic enclave for modern architecture on a barrier island in Sarasota, Florida, the home is centered amongst the Gulf of Mexico and Sarasota Bay.

Located in a flood zone, the final layout reflects these considerations with a non-traditional floor plan being employed in order to maximize views.

NOTABLE
LEED Platinum

CLIENT
Private Residence

LOCATION
Sarasota, Florida

SIZE
3,750 square feet

PHOTOGRAPHY
Greg Wilson, Ryan Gamma

TipTop Haus Lido Shores Sarasota Landscape.jpg

Lido Shores Architecture and Landscape TipTop Haus.jpg

A cantilevered entryway shelters visitors from the elements.

TipTop House Sarasota Wood Door Jonathan Parks.jpg

Employing a non-traditional floorplan, the main living, dining, and master bedroom accommodations are on the upper floor with direct access to a roof terrace allowing open vistas toward Sarasota Bay and the city skyline. The lower level features three bedrooms, a family room and direct access to the elevated pool and deck areas.

The concept of the layout was to create a separation of these functions with architectural elements but tie them together with light, form, and repetition. This is reflected in the floorplan with a distinct delineation between public and private areas, with a distinctive stairway as the centerpiece of the home.

TipTop House Stairs and Living Room Sarasota Architect Jonathan Parks.jpg

The upper roof terrace provides a gathering point for friends and family that is both secluded from the neighborhood and open to the environment. Nature becomes a defining feature throughout the home with the selection of sustainable materials, indoor/outdoor lifestyle and shaded areas for gathering outdoors yet protected from the Florida sun.

Strategically placed operable windows allow for natural ventilation and daylighting, thus reducing dependency on mechanical systems for comfort. These fundamental and simple architectural features are complemented by the selection and use of a high-performance HVAC system, intelligent LED lighting control system, large photovoltaic arrays that provide an Energy Star Certified HERS index of 12. This project marries design technique and advanced engineering to create a truly sustainable project with an emphasis on comfort, health, and efficiency along with a LEED Platinum Certification.

Team

Architect
SOLSTICE Planning and Architecture

Contractor
Josh Wynne Construction

Interior Designer
SOLSTICE Planning and Architecture

Accolades

Best Bath of the Year, Best in American Living / Professional Builder
Golden Aurora, Best of State
Grand Aurora for Interior Detailing, Residential Construction, Custom Home (One of a Kind), Kitchen, Interior Detailing, Best Energy Efficient Home, Best Water-Wise Home, Best Solar Energy Efficient House, Best Natural Gas Single Family Home