The entire concept of indoor/outdoor living is popular among Florida residents. The creative, famous Florida architects at SDH Studio always strive to create gorgeous homes inspired by nature. Incorporating natural, outdoor elements into modern exterior and interior design is one of the most remarkable concepts of this design studio.
This modern residence is a perfect example of modern Miami architecture placed on a site with an oversized width. Designed as a series of volumes strategically placed to create beautiful courtyards, this unconventional home is a real adventure for the senses with an abundance of space and natural light.
ALF Residence features modern Miami architecture style that gives out a warm, tropical feel with horizontal lines, gorgeous covered terraces, open spaces, open floor, and floor to ceiling windows. With that much open space, there are more windows than walls in this beautiful family home.
A Spacious Home for an Active Family
ALF Residence is a 5,000 square-foot-house with six bedrooms and 2,000 feet in beautiful exterior terraces. It’s a light, spacious home for a couple and their four children. The architects had a full acre of land to work around, which gave them endless possibilities. When there’s so much space, there’s a lot of room for creativity. SDH Studio architects wanted to capitalize on the indoor/outdoor concept because the family required a modern home. However, they also wanted a dash of ranch-style to complement the elongated profile of the house. That concept, combined with lofty 22 feet ceilings, contribute to the unique style of this beautiful family house.
After researching top architecture firms and seeing the SDH Studios website, the homeowners decided to turn to Stephanie Halfen, the owner of the award-winning design studio. According to Stephanie, the new homeowners are a charming, down-to-earth family. They wanted a fun, light, and cozy space to enjoy with their children. Halfen instantly understood the desired aesthetics and designed a structure with an effortless indoor/outdoor integration. Determined to make use of every ounce of natural light she possibly can, Stephanie created a home with an abundance of floor-to-ceiling windows.
Moreover, if you consider the entire home’s proportion, there are more windows than walls in this house. It was a wonderful refreshment for the homeowners who have previously resided in a traditional house that was in comparison much darker and gloomier than the new spacious residence.
Inspired by Nature
The fundamental aspect of the architect’s vision for this home was assimilation with nature when it comes to both exterior and interior design. They heavily considered each finish and each material they used, enhancing the home with Carrara marble and Brazilian wood. There are magnificent courtyards and gardens throughout the entire estate, incorporating outstanding natural elements into the lovely family’s everyday lives. You never know where a terrace, a garden, or a courtyard might pop up on the estate, always bringing a pleasant surprise and mesmerizing views. Just like the other elements that represent captivating focal points in the home, the glorious dashes of nature throughout the estate bring light and beauty into the family’s lives.
The sheer size of the property allowed Halfen to spread her creative wings and explore movement and volume to create a gorgeous Miami home. She paid close attention to the layout and flow of the house, creating private spaces for each family member. The house has an intimate bedroom wing where every member has their personal space to retreat. However, there are also many ample social spaces for the family to enjoy together. Moreover, only one family room wasn’t enough, so the architect created two spacious family rooms where everyone can convene.
ALF Residence Highlights
The master bedroom is an example of true luxury, opening out to the splendid backyard with a tonal hardwood flooring leading the way. With a modern custom bed that features a leather headboard and simple yet effective nightstands, the beautiful architecture does most of the talking.
When it comes to the many natural elements in the home, the vertical garden represents one of the most remarkable features. Although it’s on the outside of the house, the garden quickly becomes a part of the interior too. Thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows that allow garden views from the inside, it brings nature’s colors right into the family home.
Joined together by a corridor creating a bridge, the separate wings allow the residents to walk from one end of the house to another easily. They can enjoy the glorious glimpses of nature with every step they take and see the beautiful backyard from almost any interior location. Halfen says this is the most stunning feature of the house. When your backyard becomes an enormous painting that you can see from every corner of your house, it becomes a focal art piece in your home.