A Coastal Home Designed for Its Environment

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Nestled between the Gulf of Mexico and Sarasota Bay, the Casey Key Residence is a thoughtfully designed coastal retreat that embraces its natural surroundings. Comprising three distinct structures—the Main House, Guest House, and Beach House—this family compound is unified by a material palette of copper, stone, and wood, chosen for their ability to age gracefully within the coastal environment. Each building responds to its unique setting, creating a seamless connection between architecture and nature while offering a serene escape.

The Main House, the largest of the three structures, is a U-shaped courtyard home elevated on piles to meet FEMA regulations. Its central garden replaces a grove of invasive Australian pines, serving as the heart of the residence and offering a shared landscape for all primary rooms. Expansive glass doors pocket into walls, framing uninterrupted views from the Gulf to the bay. The home is carefully scaled to balance openness and intimacy, with materials selected to develop a rich patina over time, enhancing the sense of permanence and belonging within the site’s layered ecosystems.

Set within a mature oak hammock along Sarasota Bay, the Guest House takes inspiration from the sweeping, wind-shaped limbs of the live oaks that surround it. The structure, envisioned as a "house in the trees," features curved glulam pine beams that arch overhead, echoing the natural canopy. Clad in shiplap cypress, the residence blends into its surroundings while offering privacy from neighboring properties. Thoughtfully oriented, the home embraces broad views of the oak hammock to the south and west, while opening toward the intercoastal waterway to the east.

Completing the compound, the Beach House is a compact yet striking structure positioned at the southern edge of the courtyard. Elevated to comply with FEMA regulations, the copper-clad volume appears to float above the coastal landscape, anchored by a stone-clad wall that provides a sense of grounding and permanence. This intimate retreat, designed for contemplation, merges with the surrounding dunes and Gulf views, allowing the native landscape to flow beneath it.

Together, the three structures create a cohesive, immersive coastal living experience, where architecture and nature exist in seamless dialogue.

client/owner

Private Client

Project information

location

Casey Key, FL

Status

Completed in 2010