The Richmond Residence
Sarasota, Florida
Sarasota, Florida
The property wall on Midnight Pass Road.
The north hinge of the gate.
Looking back at the gate to the property.
The front entry to the family dining area.
Looking from the front entry to the formal dining on left and a sitting area straight ahead.
Looking at the family dining with kitchen beyond.
Kitchen
Looking from the family room to Sarasota Bay. Pool down the steps below patio.
End of the formal living room seating seen from patio off family room.
Looking down at the pool bar from the family room patio.
Pool edge design.
Looking from stairs to living up to Master Bedroom balcony.
Bayside Elevation from neighbor's dock
Second floor
Looking down toward entry steps and driveway beyond.
Master Bath overlooking Sarasota Bay.
Sarasota Bay from the Master Bedroom balcony.
The many white birds of paradise on the property.
The house from the drive.
Stairs up to front entrance.
Inside the entrance looking up to the second floor.
Looking up to the paneling on the underside of the roof above the second floor.
Stair from entry area to second floor.
Standing in entry looking at the stair to second floor.
Stair looking up to second floor.
Pool bar .
Bayside elevation.
The question for me is always the same: Did I create a three-dimensional, lived-in experience that feeds and nourishes the user's consciousness such that he is stronger for living? Besides providing for the material requirements that buildings provide, they ought to nourishing a man's soul, a word for a person's assessment of himself, human life and existence out of which he acts on a daily basis. It is esthetics that is concerned with this aspect of a building.
When we go into a building, we know whether it vindicates/expresses our values or not. No one can tell you which buildings or environments do this for you. You may analyze a building later, but initially it is a powerful experience of life in that moment as it ought, or ought not, be.
The Owner of this home told me prior to living here the only way she could relax from work was to go on vacation. Prior to this house, even being home was stressful. Once she moved in and had lived in this place for awhile, she made a point to tell me that she loves this house. Every evening when she goes home from work, she has the same relaxing experience that she used to have going on vacation.
So, does the house work? Does it nourish the owner's consciousness to have him be stronger for living? I know my answer.
