Canal House

Located on an exclusive island in Biscayne Bay offshore Miami Beach, the sleek Canal House features deep overhangs and highly detailed louvered panels that result in a sophisticated “tropical modern” aesthetic. A one-story structure next to the street minimizes the massing of the overall design, and acts as a buffer to the street. This structure holds private office space and a guest suite facing an inner courtyard to the main house. The use of white stucco contrasts with the warmth of the wood accents that are prevalent in the design. Acting as overhead condition, finished floor, window detailing, and even furniture pieces, these wood accents help elevate the aesthetic. The main house is raised 10 feet off the ground, a reminder of the potential concerns of storm surge in a delicate ecosystem. The second floor features a terrace that wraps the perimeter of the interior spaces, with the master suite overlooking the canal, and a central family room for a more private setting. Detached, minimalistic cabanas frame the symmetrical design, picking up the tectonic and material language the main house establishes.