Fine Designs

When Florida Weekly asked members of the local chapter of the American Institute of Architecture (AIA FLaSW) to pick some of the most notable residences in and around Naples, they embraced the task.

Innovative architecture is rare, they said —especially when compared to the number of homes that have been built in Collier County in the last century — and they were happy to point out some excellent examples.

Good design is not a function of size, they reminded us.

Instead, it's the result of myriad factors: a particular time, the layout of the property, the client's needs and money. Inevitably, trends and even fashion will play a part in determining how a house looks. But in this instance, style was not a determining factor.

The collection of architectural accomplishments singled out by the AIA FLaSW is made up of original houses that have or will stand the test of time. They all function in the context and climate of Southwest Florida, as well as for the homeowner.

The list is brief and by no means complete. Two outstanding homes — one designed by Richard Meier in the late 1990s and another by Addison Mizner in the 1920s — are not included because we couldn't get the right photos. And there is no hierarchy; each home stands on its own merit.

Architect Joyce Owens, vice president of AIA FLaSW, coordinated the submissions and with fellow board members selected the residences. Before establishing her Southwest Florida practice, Ms. Owens owned a design firm in London, where her projects included private homes and retail schemes for clients including Alexander McQueen and Philip Treacy, TAGHeuer and the late Isabella Blow. >> 1. PALM COTTAGE

137 12th Avenue South >> Year built: 1885 >> Owner: The Naples Historical Society >> Original owner: Walter Haldeman, publisher of the Louisville, Ky., Courier >> Construction: The landmark cottage is a fine example of tabbie mortar construction, a handmade concrete consisting of sand, shells and water.

A widely respected symbol of Naples' history and heritage, Palm Cottage is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. For more information, call 261-8164 or visit www.napleshistoricalsociety. org.

Photography courtesy of the

Naples Historical Society

>> 2. HALDEMAN CREEK

HOUSE The David Corban family

residence

2832 Arbutus St. >> Year built: 2007 >> Architect: David Corban, AIA >> Builder: Tom Packard >> Awards: Award of Excellence, AAI FLaSW 2007 Design Conference

Quite possibly the greenest home in Collier County, this residence is raised on pilings over a Gulf-access canal (which means the owner can park his boat under the house). The location over the water forms a microclimate that cools breezes passing through the numerous glass sliders by about 10 degrees, allowing the owners to go without air-conditioning for most of the year. Five- to 12-foot overhangs, venting skylights and lightrefl ecting sunshades reduce the heat gain in the home. The builder demolished the old boathouse on the site by hand and retained the old-growth cypress framing and pecky cypress siding for use in the new home. Rapidly renewable materials such as bamboo flooring and recycled materials such as homasote board are also incorporated. A xeriscaped lawn reduces the need for watering; replacement of seawall with riprap provides a natural habitat for fish and wading birds.

Photography by Ed Chappell >> 3. PRIVATE RESIDENCE

Avion Park >> Year built: 2008 >> Architect: Dwight Oakley, AIA >> Builder: Mike Nourse Construction >> Awards: Award of Merit, AIA FLaSW 2008 Design Conference

This quiet residential design distills modern and traditional characteristics into a light-hearted, comfortable and understated home. The project establishes its identity through a series of complementary exterior and interior details, mature landscape selections and the use of sustainable building concepts and materials. Floor plans and building cross-sections encourage natural ventilation and light qualities, while deep roof overhangs help minimize solar gain.

Photography by Dwight Oakley

>> 4. PRIVATE RESIDENCE

3777 Gordon Drive >> Year built: 2000 >> Architect: Dwight Oakley, AIA >> Builder: Newbury North Associates >> Awards: Award of Excellence, AIA FLaSW 2001 Design Conference

Partially within Champney Bay and partially on land, this residence and boathouse of entirely new construction are within the original footprint of a 1930's working boathouse. Plans provide four independent bedrooms and associated living, dining and kitchen spaces with the living room physically and visually linked to the covered boat storage. While water, house, pavilion and expansive lawn all serve as components of this design assembly, they are organized to suggest a larger sense of family.

Photography by Dwight Oakley >> 5. PRIVATE RESIDENCE

REMODEL

Ninth Avenue North >> Year completed: 2003 >> Architect: David Poorman, AIA >> Builder: Hagedorn & Sons >> Awards: Award of Excellence, AIA FLaSW 2006 Design Conference

This house renovation transformed a typical suburban ranch-style house into a home for a small family relocating from a Midwest city. Taking former loft-apartment living patterns of the family as inspiration, the architect nearly stripped the house interior main living space walls to create an open space and unobstructed views. Sustainable principles utilized include reuse of demolished lumber (first-growth Southern yellow pine), recycled wood siding, terrazzo floors and bamboo flooring, carpeting tile made from recycled material, and plastic lumber decking.

Photography by David Poorman

>> 6. THE ZN RESIDENCE

Quail West >> Year built: 1990 >> Architect: Andrea Clark Brown, AIA >> Builder: Carlson Harris General Contractors >> Awards: Award of Excellence, AIA FLaSW 1999 Design Conference

This special site, with several tree hammocks and dense indigenous palm groves, provided a peaceful and private setting for a newly retired couple's 5,200-squarefoot pavilion residence. Secreted among the wild growth, a Zen-like garden includes koi pond, natural "black" pool and boulders that serve as stepping stones from inside the residence to outside areas. A contemporary departure from the typical estate home, this residence has an open pavilion/loft layout with entry gallery, kitchen, dining, living and music media areas contained under a single ceiling canopy. Colonnades inside and out merge exterior and interior views for all sides. A minimalist expression in all functional elements provides a meditative setting and respite for the owners.

Photography by Dan Forer >> 7. PRIVATE RESIDENCE

Port Royal >> Year built: 1998 >> Architect: Andrea Clark Brown, AIA >> Builder: A. Vernon Allen Builder, Inc. >> Awards: Award of Excellence, AIA FLaSW 1999 Design Conference

This 8,000-square-foot residence is symmetrically organized around a center entrance with garages to either side. As one enters the foyer, only a glimpse of a view can be seen of the next room on axis through an upper window between two sets of stairs. After walking around the stairways to the living room, one can enjoy the view of the infinity-edge pool that visually continues into the waterway of Gordon Pass. The family room, kitchen and dining room are adjacent to the living room, each with views of the water through screened porches. The twostory high cypress ceiling of the screened porch continues into the house and becomes the ceiling of the master bedroom, located along the central axis. The symmetry is completed on the second floor with two waterfront bedroom suites, each with a screened porch, and two garden bedroom suites with access to the front porch. "Skylight alleys" separate the central living and master suite areas from the rest of the house.

Photography by Dan Forer