Florida Lake House

This contemporary home is situated on the edge of a scenic lake-side plot in Orlando, Florida. The family dwelling sits on a double-width plot and spreads its accommodation horizontally across the site. A series of stone-clad slabs cantilever up to 5m to provide a level of internal shading from the fierce Florida sunlight whilst creating a system of elevated terraces and walkways. Photovoltaic panels provide a sustainable source of power and oak and cyprus timber cut from on-site trees are utilised for screening and flooring throughout. Linking the property to a nearby chain of lakes is a gently landscaped plot incorporating a series of platforms and terraces in stone, timber and grass which follow the architectural language of the house.

Fundamental to the design is the aspect of privacy whereby maximum screening from neighbouring properties is ensured with a concealed driveway to the street front. This isolation from nearby dwellings provides a level of flexibility that avoids compromise with the Mediterranean architectural style commonly found in the area and presents opportunity and justification for the more concrete-heavy form.

The scheme utilises technology in concrete that has been developed in commercial car parks to maximise column-free spans and cantilevers. The result is an impressively spacious property affording panoramic views across the nearby lakes.