ANNA MARIA RESIDENCE

The site is a 56-foot wide parcel facing the public beach across Anna Maria Island’s coastal drive. The land is the middle parcel of a subdivided lot with two adjacent properties also under development. The 3,500-square-foot proposed residence is closely bounded by the four setback lines and is elevated a complete story to meet a high flood elevation. The site is accessed by an alley shared by the three newly created lots at the back of the site.

The intent of the design was to reconnect the elevated house with the yard below. From the raised living space, the house first descends three steps to an elevated pool to again step down another half flight of stairs to a wood deck three feet above grade. The wood deck steps down with stadium seating to the yard and the entry gate. This allows the house to expand to shaded exterior spaces visually connected to the interior.

Two double-height volumes placed at opposite corners of the floor plan tie the living levels together and add spatial interest to the circulation. The office on the top living level looks through the double-height living down to the pool below and the beach beyond. A roof terrace, accessed by an exterior stair, provides a private outdoor space in proximity to the master suite. A large cut in the roof offers a view down to the pool and the yard below.