Fluid Architecture for Coastal Living
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Nestled on a Gulf to Bay barrier island, the Blackburn Bay Residence reimagines contemporary architecture by breaking free from the conventional "white modern boxes" that dominate the area’s landscape. Designed to blend seamlessly with its surroundings, the home creates a fluid dialogue between land and water, architecture and nature. The "split level hugger plan" reflects a hybrid approach, drawing inspiration from suburban split-level designs and courtyard configurations. Elevated to meet FEMA floodplain requirements and coastal resiliency standards, the structure embodies a thoughtful response to the island’s unique environmental challenges.
The residence pays homage to the coastal landscape, with its eastern boundary framed by mangroves and brackish waters of the bay and its western edge leading to the Gulf’s sandy shores. This design is an exploration of southwest Florida’s natural habitats, integrating native elements like beach grasses and sea grape trees into the architectural narrative. Nonorthogonal forms and gently curving lines create an elegant interplay between the built and natural environments. Carefully chosen materials, including stucco, tabby, wood, and concrete, ensure the home’s resilience against the coastal climate while reinforcing its connection to the island’s character.
The seamless integration of the residence with its environment extends to the landscape design, which flows around and under the home, erasing the boundaries between indoors and out. Roof planes hover and taper, while soffits frame spaces that feel both open and contained, fostering a sense of harmony and fluidity. The Blackburn Bay Residence is a testament to the art of architecture that respects its context, creating a timeless retreat that is as resilient as it is inspiring.
client/owner
Private Client
Project information
location
Casey Key, FL
size
4,510 SF
Status
Completed in 2023
FOUNDER
Jerry Sparkman, AIA, NCARB
Jerry Sparkman, a founding principal of Sweet Sparkman Architecture & Interiors, has been crafting resilient, thoughtful designs since the firm's inception in 2002. His work reflects a deep understanding of the coastal environment, emphasizing the integration of local culture, history, and long-term community growth. Jerry’s design philosophy—“respect the land and the people, and the rest will follow”—is exemplified in projects like The Bay Park in Sarasota, where he has merged innovative design with environmental stewardship to create vibrant public spaces. His portfolio spans high-end residential projects, public parks, higher education facilities, and community spaces, all shaped by active listening and a meticulous approach to financial, physical, social, and environmental factors. With a belief that nature provides unlimited inspiration, Jerry continues to create spaces that harmonize with their surroundings while meeting the needs of diverse communities.
Hannah Boehmer, AIA
Hannah, originally from Cocoa Beach, graduated in May 2014 with a Master of Architecture from the University of South Florida and has been a licensed architect since 2019. She has worked on projects in both the residential and public spectrum of the office and has a fondness for working with existing structures, bringing clarity and renewed purpose to otherwise unconsidered spaces.
In 2019, her graduate thesis exploring how contemporary design can integrate with Florida vernacular won an AIA Florida Theoretical and Research Design Merit Award. In 2021, Hannah secured the first runner-up finish in the Center for Architecture's Tiny House Competition. In addition to obsessively observing the play of shadow and light in daily spaces, she is also a member of the Junior League of Sarasota, an avid reader, and an espresso enthusiast.
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