Beach Road 2

South elevation and beach, the house is steps away from the tide.

Project details

• Project Name: Beach Road 2
• Project Type: Single Family Residence
• Principal Designer/s: Scott Hughes & John Umbanhowar
• Design Team: Scott Hughes, Daniel Huh, Ayako Mizushiro, David Montalba, John Umbanhowar
• Contractor/s: Benchmark Homes, Gary Flynn
• Date of commencement of project: May 2004
• Date of completion of project: November 2005
• Location of site: Jupiter Island, Florida, USA
• Site Area: 48,000 sq.ft.
• Built-up Area: 4,100 sq.ft.

View from walkway to entry, aluminum louvers wrap the interior stairs.

The house is made of three materials "washed up on the beach and found by a beachcomber"--glass, aluminum boat hull and sand, put together to create shelter. Sand encloses the sleeping area, Aluminum the entertaining space, and glass the contemplative living space.

View of kitchen, opening to horizon and ocean.

These 3 "boxes" are arranged to take advantage of site orientation:

• The two-storey high ceramic-fritted-glass-box with views to the south;
• The sand box to the north with punched openings for privacy and soft morning light
• The central aluminum box houses the kitchen - designed as a stage set and focus for entertaining guests, and preparation plus eating of meals.

Nighttime view of southern patio and glass box.

Aluminum louvers on the west facade filter western light. A lap pool on the roof increases landscaping on the site, shelters swimmers from the ocean breezes and expands views through skylights within the pool floor.

Primary components

• Ceramic fritted glass
• Aluminum louvers
• Stucco
• Italian limestone
• Polycarbonate sheeting
• Onyx
• Bulthaup kitchen

Photographs

Long view down the beach and of north facade at sunset.

View of sundeck.

View from entryway to pool as swimmer passes by.

Sheltered pool area with frame views of the ocean.

Credits

• Text by John Umbanhowar, Courtesy of SH_Arc Scott Hughes Architects
• Photographs by Ken Hayden, Courtesy of SH_Arc Scott Hughes Architects