THE ARCHITECTS

Led by Christian Thomas and John Melhorn, Florida-based studio Thomas Melhorn designed and built a coastal refuge for a multigenerational family of cheese importers.

THE PROPERTY

Located on Jupiter Island, Florida, this three-acre property embodies beachside living. With its wood shake roof, lime-washed stucco and local coral stone, the house echoes the Florida vernacular. The property also contains a 900-square-foot guest house and a tennis court nestled into the landscape surrounded by a gym and generator building.

moving from the hustle and bustle of New York City to relaxed and sunny Florida is a dream that Neal and Liz Schuman decided to realise after spending several winters in the idyllic environment of Jupiter Island, which borders the Atlantic Ocean. The couple came to Christian Thomas and John Melhorn of Thomas Melhorn, who assisted them with land acquisition before designing and building the 9,000-square-foot house (including the guest home) – it was a process that took three years to complete.

‘The conversations began very simply,’ remembers Christian. ‘The Schumans did not make specific requests for their home. Instead, they provided a list of 10 words and phrases to guide the design. Some of these included “peaceful retreat”, “outside in”, “harmonious with location” and “environmentally responsible”.’

Marrying the local tradition with modern functionality, this family retreat was designed from the spirit of the place. ‘The setting drove the look and personality,’ says Christian. ‘The gentle curve in the cantilevered sloped rooftops was in response to the shape of the dunes from years of ocean breeze.’ Fabricated by thin curved beams to create the grand sweeping arches, this feature, which helps produce natural shade and wind resistance from incoming beach gusts while providing a soft boundary between indoor and outdoor spaces, is one of the most innovative architectural characteristics of the house. ‘This home is deeply rooted in classical proportions, but strays from any nod to classical architecture,’ says Christian. ‘More so, it is in response to the physical setting – the

The expansive ocean views inspired the intentional 45-degree shift in the floor plan, allowing dwellers to enjoy the panorama from almost every room. The floor plan was also designed around the living room core instead of a traditional square or rectangular format, creating a welcoming space with a casual indoor/outdoor flow. Combining white plaster, local shell stone, limed plaster, timber and organic fabrics with colours inspired by the surroundings, the palette subtly captures the essence of light, from sunrise to sunset. ‘Our attempt was to reflect the environment,’ say both Christian and the interior designer

Betsy Brown. ‘The site is so spectacular that we felt our role was to be quiet and respectful of the setting.’

Meant to age gracefully over time, the materials reflect the Japanese wabi-sabi philosophy, which finds beauty in the imperfection and impermanence in nature. ‘It is our belief that the more a material is toiled by humans, the less timeless it becomes,’ says Christian. ‘The floors, for example, were a work in progress up until the final board was installed; understanding the fuming process, its genesis and history, and trying to celebrate the variables that came with the process is what led to a very soulful application.’ Betsy adds: ‘We chose to panel interior walls with local cypress that has been treated with a soft lime finish, giving a lovely white hue while still accentuating the grain of the wood.’

In the different areas, vintage furniture and objects with earthy tones prevail. ‘The idea was to use pieces that look like they could be moved from room to room and still belong in each space,’ says Betsy. ‘We wanted an easy, effortless flow.’ The interior designer also incorporated the owners’ collection of Papua New Guinea sculptures for a curated feel. ‘The goal was to create an unforced, authentic space filled with inherent luxury,’ says Betsy. ‘The clients were thinking beyond their own lifetimes. They wanted a house that would provide a wonderful gathering place for their family for generations.’

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A bespoke bench crafted from the same wood as the kitchen cabinetry links the two spaces. Custom dining table, Demiurge. Charlotte Perriand Dordogne chairs, My Modern. Boisson steel ‘C’ drinks table, BK Antiques

Nature and function combine in this beautiful space with cypress cabinets and barelythere limestone worktops.

French stools; Cambodian water

jar lamp, W. Gardner Antiques.

Twig 5 light, Apparatus

From architect Christian Thomas