This modern new build near Florida’s east coast is the result of a desire to preserve on-site trees and meet aging-in-place needs.

After several years of searching for the right home, this couple settled on buying a distressed piece of property on which sat a 1970s house ready to be razed. The 2.25-acre lot is located on a dead-end street in St. Johns County Florida, near the St. Johns River. Eight massive live oak trees characterize the site, and the house was designed around them. Having formerly lived in (and renovated) a series of homes of different styles including Colonial, Tudor, Shingle, and French Country, the homeowners wanted a modern house limited to essential spaces only—this meant omitting formal living and dining rooms. Given the Florida location, an interior fireplace was not something they needed but they did opt to install an outdoor fireplace—a feature in the structural stone wall that runs through the house, visually distinguishing the kitchen from the great room. Together the rooms comprise the majority of the roughly 2800 sq. ft. The great room features 13-ft. ceilings with glass on two sides, while the balance of the house has 10-ft. ceilings—hence the exceptionally spacious feel. Aging-in-place features include 4-ft. hallways, 3-ft. doors, and a walk-in shower. An oversized closet in the bedroom meant the room could be kept relatively free of furniture, allowing for a clean look. The husband’s background in commercial construction informed some of the design decisions, resulting in a unique aesthetic quality. Examples include the use of hollow metal door frames, aluminum bases, and storefront glass. They went with Metal FX, an industrial epoxy coating by Increte, on the floors to protect them from dog claws. And the foyer accent wall is a product by Modular Designs, a commercial flooring supplier.

SPECS

Architect / designer: Mark Macco Architects
Builder: Homeowner
Location: St. Johns, FL
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2.5
Square footage: 2870

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see more photos of this beautiful home in the gallery below