Within the past few years, Miami has become one of the hottest spots in the United States. Its sunny weather, coastal access and creative dynamism – in the worlds of fashion, art and design – explain some of the allure. This is what convinced a young and very active family of four to move from Texas to the Florida city to enjoy surfing, swimming and other outdoor activities all year long.
Josh Evan and Michael Edward Moirano had only launched their architecture and interior design practice Evan Edward a month before connecting with the homeowners through a mutual friend. The duo had worked on smaller projects in Miami and wanted to do more. After seeing the very detailed and focused design brief for this home, it was a no-brainer to work together.
It took nearly three years to complete the two-storey, 465-square metre house, whose efficient open plan, four bedrooms and plentiful outdoor living space makes it ideal for hosting. Located on Biscayne Point – a gated island in Miami Beach on Biscayne Bay – the home’s proximity and direct access to the water is clearly the cherry on the cake.
“This is our first major ground-up/new build,” explains Evan. “We always bring intense passion to our projects but with this one we really had something to say and [to] achieve for our clients and ourselves. It organically took on a life of its own.” Built by Blanco Design + Build, with landscaping by JV Landscape Design, the property reflects Evan Edward’s approach to creating a calming and contemporary tropical environment that is approachable for daily use and entertaining. “Each family member uses every space but has their own area for privacy,” says Moirano. “It never feels forced, and all overlaps.”
Due to the strict limitations of the Miami Beach zoning requirements, Evan Edward faced a spatial problem that required the team to design a separate and intimate primary foyer within the larger context of the main living room. The homeowners, however, also wanted to take advantage of the exceptional panorama of the bay, right at the home’s entrance. “We came across the incredible artist John-Paul Philippe at the Cristina Grajales Gallery and it just happened that he had recently finished a commission at the Fontainebleau, a stone’s throw away from our site in Miami,” remembers Evan. “Drinks were had, and kismet made, and we began the process of designing the screen with John-Paul.”
Evan Edward drew inspiration from mid-century tropical modernism, art deco and the location to shape this relaxed yet sophisticated home with a colour palette based on creamy and sandy beach tones to echo the surroundings. “We adore the relation of the stairs to the family room media unit, keeping the same materials of jasper, bronze, oak, concrete and parchment,” says Evan. “We love the luxurious use of functional materials in the spaces that are the most used by the family.” Terrazzo, marble, travertine, caning, raffia and brass – among other materials – complement the atmosphere influenced by the work of renowned architect Geoffrey Bawa, who mastered the art of weaving interiors and exteriors. “We wanted all the spaces we designed to feel like they blurred that same line,” adds Moirano. For example, a garden was created as the backsplash to the bar at the stairs, and the natural form of the pandanus tree just outside of the family room was used by Evan Edward as guidance for the family room fabric selections. All the details were carefully considered, making it hard for anyone to want to leave this house where everything flows together, in complete harmony.
Photography by Nicole Franzen
Read more of tropical influences here.
