The Ibis House, named after the University of Miami’s tropical bird mascot, is the home of their President. The home is suited for both personal and the university’s needs; therefore, the structure needed to feel both intimate and welcoming; as hundreds of people are entertained there each week.
The site is a native hammock of abundant oaks and exotic tropical plant specimens. A U –shaped plan was developed with two wings that splay to create an open courtyard and house eighteen rooms. Arriving guests enter a curved foyer that opens to the courtyard, then move through a music room, the living room and eventually the dining room.
This LEED certified building is derived of mostly local or recycled materials in order to narrow its carbon footprint.
The palette moves from subtle and muted to daringly bright. The vibrant colors were used to reflect the youth of the university’s students as well as the President’s personality.