Brillhart Architecture, a Florida-based firm, has deftly addressed the escalating challenges of climate change in Miami through the innovative design of the Stewart Avenue Residence. Elevated on galvanized steel stilts in response to the intensifying floods and weather disturbances, this coastal home in southern Miami’s Coconut Grove stands as a resilient architectural marvel.
Initially inspired by coastal communities like Stiltsville and infused with the tropical modernism ethos of Alfred Browning Parker and Rufus Nims, the project showcases a thoughtful approach to the residence’s underlying “understory” space, transforming what might have been a mere support structure into a purposeful and aesthetically intriguing architectural element.
Constructed to withstand the coastal region’s extreme flood zone (VE), the residence’s exceptional design concept stems from the imperative need to elevate the living spaces above ground level. Melissa Brillhart, speaking to Dezeen, highlighted the creative reimagination of the supporting stilts, incorporating slender and angled elements that mimic the organic roots of the nearby mangroves. Additionally, some of the sturdier stilts have been transformed into circular rooms, fortified with rebar-reinforced walls, serving as porous storage spaces designed to facilitate easy water drainage.
The living areas, situated on the raised stilts, comprise two distinct volumes interconnected by a covered breezeway, housing a total of 4,500 square feet (418 square meters) of indoor space. Characterized by board-form concrete facades, the residence is divided into a single-story section designed for entertainment purposes and a two-story block encompassing the kitchen, living areas, and bedrooms. Notably, the slim profile of each volume, with the two-story block spanning 25 feet (7.6 meters) in width and the single-story block at 18 feet (5.4 meters), underscores the architects’ emphasis on space optimization and efficient design.
The interior spaces continue the concrete elements of the facade, complemented by the incorporation of western red cedar and tongue-and-groove cypress detailing in the millwork and ceilings. An expansive ipe deck extends from the two-story volume, featuring an elevated pool and a reflecting pool, all strategically positioned on the living level to establish a seamless connection with the outdoors. The landscape design, respecting the preexisting coral wall surrounding the property, was carefully executed to preserve as many palm trees as possible, underscoring the project’s commitment to harmonizing resilient design strategies with the natural environment’s aesthetic appeal.
Mindful of the pressing concerns surrounding sea level rise, Brillhart Architecture’s commitment to resilient and adaptive design strategies that seamlessly blend with the region’s natural beauty sets a commendable standard for contemporary architectural responses to climate challenges. With a portfolio that includes a diverse range of projects, the firm continues to demonstrate its expertise in crafting solutions that merge functionality with striking aesthetics, resonating with the evolving needs of modern architecture in the face of environmental transformations.
Photos by Michael Stavaridis (https://www.michaelstavaridis.com/) & Stephan Goettlicher (https://www.stephangoettlicher.com/).