RESIDENTIAL: Palma Sola Bay, Bradenton
Sweet Sparkman Architects was contracted by Ross Built Construction and the homeowner to build a modern farm house on a 13-acre property positioned on the northern shore of Palma Sola Bay in Manatee County. The house faces north and is built along an east-west axis to take advantage of the views to the bay. The front entry foyer includes a large expanse of glass to create an immediate visual connection to Palma Sola Bay, which dominates the southern vista.
The owners of the property are an active family with 5 children between elementary school and college. The Homestead House is designed as a family estate that can accommodate their growing extended family. Each of the bedrooms has a magnificent view of Palma Sola Bay and each of the ground floor bedrooms has a door to the pool and patio. The house also includes unique features such as a secret passageway connecting children’s bedrooms. The ground floor features an octagonal shaped home theater room, a large, open kitchen, living and dining room and a generous walk-in pantry. The homeowners have considered the idea that they could turn the house into a “farm to table” bed and breakfast after the children have moved out.
The upstairs consists of the master suite, including a library, master bedroom with covered balcony porch, master bath, and dressing rooms. The master suite overlooks the pool and has expansive views of the bay. A covered porch runs the length of the house facing the bay, providing deep overhangs to temper the heat and daylighting courtesy of the southern exposure.
The house sits adjacent to the farm, which boasts a large fruit tree orchard, fruit and vegetable gardens, a pig and chickens. There is a pole barn on site that is equipped with 2500 SF of solar panels and a cistern to collect rain water. The location of the house allows for direct access to the pantry and kitchen from the farm. The dining room has a large bay window that looks out over the farm.
The property also contains two detached garages that have guest studios upstairs. The structures mirror each other in layout and provide a space for additional family guests to visit.
