- Carolina Monteiro, Principal
CLAD
Miami - Jeremy Guillen, Vice President
CPS Outdoors
Miami
The clients asked the design team to create a resort in their backyard, one at home in its lush, tropical environs and bayside view on Star Island, an exclusive luxury neighborhood. They wanted to enjoy a space that could support the whole energy spectrum — from the noisier vibe of entertaining guests to a more calming, grounding atmosphere for wellness and relaxation.
As for specific features, they gravitated toward having a vanishing-edge pool, floating stepping stones, spa, and an outdoor kitchen with a wrap-around waterfeature nearby.
And, of course, the outdoor living space would need to fit the home’s modern architecture and borrow from its palette of earthy neutrals. That included natural materials such as wood, stone, and stucco. The home was built to foster a strong indoor-outdoor connection, so the designers needed to take full advantage.
To meet the clients’ needs, the team developed this residential resort.
Jimi Smith Photography
Sleek lines
Landscape architect Carolina Monteiro, principal of Miami-based CLAD, interwove the space’s geometry into that of the home by placing it in the corner where the two wings of the building meet.
Anchoring the yard is a two-sided vanishing-edge pool, built by CPS Outdoors, also based in Miami. The designer aligned the long rectangle with the home’s major view corridors to properly frame the bay beyond.
The resort vibe is strong, with plenty of lounging spots. A spa sits tucked away near the home wall, offering a quiet spot to soak. It sits in proximity to the pool’s entry steps, which span the full width of the vessel and has a top tread wide enough for people to sit and socialize with those in the spa.
Another, separate, sunshelf with loungers and tables spans nearly the entire length of the pool.
Two floating islands, each with its own daybed and umbrella, sit directly next to each other, precisely lit underneath to enhance the illusion. The basin underneath the islands extends around an adjacent structure and wraps around the outdoor kitchen for a similar effect.
For the decks, textured stone pavers in neutral tones and warm woods were chosen to add warmth.
The waterscape is lined in green Sukabumi porcelain tile to extend the tropical feel.
Generous tropical plantings tie in with the local environment, while foliage-covered green living walls add to that sense of calm and elegance.
SUPPLIERS:
- Pump/filter/heater/controller/chemical feeder/autofill: Jandy
- Tile/interior finish/waterfeature: Sukabumi
- Waterproofing: Basecrete
- Lights/skimmers: Pentair
- Drain cover/fittings: CMP
