TipTop Haus
Situated on a narrow 70 foot wide lot, this 3,750 square foot LEED Platinum residence was designed as a secluded ‘get away’ to accommodate 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.
Set only a stone’s throw from the water but with views obstructed by neighboring homes, the architect faced a number of challenges providing the owners with a vacation home that also celebrated the picturesque island setting.
Located in a flood zone, the sequence of arrival gradually elevates guests as they approach the front door raised five feet above grade.The front-facing pool and elevated courtyard becomes the epicenter of the entry experience and the focal point of the living spaces.
Employing a non-traditional floor plan, the layout takes advantage of upper vistas towards the city skyline to the west and the Gulf waters to the east.The “upside down” nature of the plan, with the main living, dining, and master bedroom accommodations on the upper floor, provides direct access to an 800 sq. ft. roof terrace. This “tip top” terrace becomes an extension of everyday interactions and not an afterthought.
The centerpiece of the home is a distinctive stairway which orchestrates the daily journey from space to space. The floor plan separates public and private areas but architectural elements are tied together through the use of light, form, and repetition.
Nature and the surrounding environment are incorporated into the home as defining features, with a selection of sustainable materials. The design emphasizes the value of an indoor/outdoor lifestyle, all realized by ‘state-of-the-art’ construction. Environmentally friendly elements include an Energy Star Certified HERS index of 12, cutting-edge, variable speed HVAC system, intelligent LED lighting control system, and photovoltaic arrays. The result is a LEED Platinum home where every space is an extension of island life and every design gesture is both purposeful and poetic.
Project Credits:
Architect: Jonathan Parks
Contractor & Sustainable Design: Josh Wynne Construction
Interior Designer: Jonathan Parks
Photographers: Greg Wilson and Ryan Gamma
Set only a stone’s throw from the water but with views obstructed by neighboring homes, the architect faced a number of challenges providing the owners with a vacation home that also celebrated the picturesque island setting.
Located in a flood zone, the sequence of arrival gradually elevates guests as they approach the front door raised five feet above grade.The front-facing pool and elevated courtyard becomes the epicenter of the entry experience and the focal point of the living spaces.
Employing a non-traditional floor plan, the layout takes advantage of upper vistas towards the city skyline to the west and the Gulf waters to the east.The “upside down” nature of the plan, with the main living, dining, and master bedroom accommodations on the upper floor, provides direct access to an 800 sq. ft. roof terrace. This “tip top” terrace becomes an extension of everyday interactions and not an afterthought.
The centerpiece of the home is a distinctive stairway which orchestrates the daily journey from space to space. The floor plan separates public and private areas but architectural elements are tied together through the use of light, form, and repetition.
Nature and the surrounding environment are incorporated into the home as defining features, with a selection of sustainable materials. The design emphasizes the value of an indoor/outdoor lifestyle, all realized by ‘state-of-the-art’ construction. Environmentally friendly elements include an Energy Star Certified HERS index of 12, cutting-edge, variable speed HVAC system, intelligent LED lighting control system, and photovoltaic arrays. The result is a LEED Platinum home where every space is an extension of island life and every design gesture is both purposeful and poetic.
Project Credits:
Architect: Jonathan Parks
Contractor & Sustainable Design: Josh Wynne Construction
Interior Designer: Jonathan Parks
Photographers: Greg Wilson and Ryan Gamma
Project Year: 2015
Project Cost: $1,000,001 - $1,500,000
Country: United States
Zip Code: 34236
