Sustainability in the Sunshine State
Sugar Breeze Houses
KBA’s commitment to affordable sustainability is realized in the design of four single-family homes.
LOCATION: Sarasota, Florida
CLIENT: Efficient Development Corporation
OVERVIEW: Four Single-Family Homes
COMPLETION DATE: 2025
SERVICES: Architecture, Interior Design
CONSULTANTS: CFS Engineering, LLC, Pear Engineering, DMK Associates Inc.
The breathtaking coastal beauty inspires a deep-rooted responsibility to protect its delicate ecosystems.
Drawing inspiration from iconic architect Paul Rudolph, who believed modern architecture harmonized better with warm climates, we designed these homes with sustainability and functionality at their cores. By seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor spaces, we created dwellings that not only maximize natural airflow but also foster a dynamic interplay between enclosed and open areas, mirroring the ebb and flow of coastal life.
The two long horizontal bands overlap to create outdoor spaces on both floors. On the second floor a terrace extends the family room to the exterior. On the third, a roof terrace provides a wonderful opportunity to take in the dramatic views of the crystal clear turquoise waters. In both spaces, we used cooling pavers and low albedo roofs. The scene for a wonderful sunset awaits.
Siesta Key Beach’s sand is composed of 99% pure crushed crystals that feel cool to the touch even on the hottest days. We are obsessed with magic materials - the location ‘had us at “Hello.”’
Each house lot has a unique color palette. In the kitchen, the lower cabinet doors match the desaturated tone of the scheme. In the bathrooms the terrazzo tile follows suit.
The interior finishes for the Sugar Breeze Houses are consistent across all four homes, featuring a marble island, warm oak open shelving, stainless steel appliances and hardware, Porcelanosa flooring, solid surface sand-toned counters, and Tile Bar Vector Reverb backsplash.
The color scheme of one lot are clay and red tones that call to mind the roseate spoonbill, another’s mustard and yellow tones are a nod to the sandy soil of the pine flatwoods found in the Prairie Creek Preserve and the iconic Florida panther. Green and emerald tones found in the forest canopy of the Myakka River State Park Canopy Walkway inspire the third, blue and cyan tones calling to mind the clean and clear waters of the coastline round out the four.
The color of the architecture is intense with red pigmented stucco in addition to the white stucco. The recessed windows have gray frames, the railings and spiral staircase are bright powder-coated colors, and for a cherry arriving home welcome, pivot doors are a bright hibiscus red.
Each unit has a galvanized steel frame structure and hurricane protection on the doors and windows - essential for the climate of South Florida.
