Van der Vlugt Residence, A Benchmark for Resilient Coastal Modern Architecture
Architecture Design of Van der Vlugt Residence
Description About The Project
Explore the Van der Vlugt Residence by Strang Architecture — an award-winning elevated coastal home in the Florida Keys showcasing resilient modernism, passive cooling strategies, and Sarasota School architectural innovation.
The Project “Van der Vlugt Residence” Information:
- Project Name: Van der Vlugt Residence
- Location: Keys, OK, United States
- Project Year: 2024
- Designed by: Strang Architecture
Project Overview
The Van der Vlugt Residence by Strang Architecture stands as a globally recognized example of resilient modern design along the Upper Florida Keys coastline in the Florida, United States.
Widely celebrated for its architectural clarity and environmental responsiveness, the residence has earned prestigious honors including the AIA Florida Award of Excellence for New Work, the AIA Miami Award of Excellence in Residential Architecture, and recognition as a finalist at the World Architecture Festival.
The project also anchors the pilot episode of Sarasota School: A Living Legacy, produced by Architecture Sarasota, reinforcing its importance as a defining piece of contemporary coastal architecture.
Design Philosophy, Sarasota School Reimagined for Climate Resilience
The residence reinterprets the historic principles of the Sarasota School of Architecture, particularly environmental adaptation and material experimentation, while responding to modern climate realities.
Max Strang, Founder and Managing Partner of Strang Architecture, shared: “We are immensely proud that the Van der Vlugt Residence has earned such significant recognition. Designing structures that are both beautiful and resilient is essential for Florida’s evolving coastal environment.”
The home presents a calm architectural retreat — an elevated sanctuary that balances modern complexity with a slower, contextually grounded living experience.
SEE MORE: IC Residence by Anastasia Arquitetos Blends Tropical Modernism with Landscape Harmony in Lagoa Santa
Elevated Coastal Strategy and Structural Innovation
To address sea level rise and storm surge risks, the residence is elevated ten feet above grade, appearing as a floating horizontal volume filtered by light-responsive louvers.
Key structural features include:
- Resilient foundation: Robust concrete columns support a dramatic 50-foot cantilever while partially integrating a pre-existing berm, allowing the home to hover while remaining grounded in its landscape.
- Floating architectural expression: The elevated massing enhances airflow, views, and long-term durability.
An architect involved in the project explained: “Elevation here is not only protection — it becomes a defining spatial and visual experience.”
SEE MORE: D13 House by GSQUARED Architects Blends Modern Minimalism with Cape Town’s Natural Beauty
Sculptural Entry and Spatial Identity
The arrival sequence introduces a striking spiral staircase wrapped in cool gray microcement. Acting as a spatial hinge, the stair marks the moment where the home’s curvature intersects with its primary axis, subtly echoing the site’s waterfront boundary.
A design team member described the gesture: “The staircase functions as the joint of the house, visually stitching movement, structure, and landscape together.”
SEE MORE: C 9 House by GSQUARED Architects Blends Modern Coastal Architecture with Timeless Serenity
Passive Cooling and Climate-Responsive Envelope
Floor-to-ceiling glazing maximizes daylight while strategically placed louvers filter solar gain, enabling effective passive cooling and visual comfort.
These layered environmental strategies reinforce the project’s commitment to sustainability without compromising architectural elegance.
As one designer noted: “Louvers transform sunlight into an architectural material — shaping comfort, shadow, and atmosphere simultaneously.”
SEE MORE: Villa A by SAOTA, A Seamless Fusion of Luxury, Light, and Landscape
Material Continuity and Interior Expression
Board-formed concrete defines the exterior and flows seamlessly into interior spaces, producing tactile continuity and dramatic contrast. This approach is especially evident in the library, where textured concrete surfaces interact with a curved white bookshelf.
Within the owner’s suite, metallic impressions of board-formed concrete elevate the material into a refined artistic feature.
SEE MORE: Tamarind Drive by SDH Studio Architecture + Design Redefines Tropical Modern Living in Miami
Conclusion: A Future-Focused Coastal Landmark
The Van der Vlugt Residence ultimately represents a forward-thinking synthesis of resilience, modernist heritage, and experiential coastal living. Through elevated construction, passive climate strategies, and expressive materiality, the home establishes itself as both a protective refuge and an architectural milestone.
Photo credit: | Source: Strang Architecture
For more information about this project; please contact the Architecture firm :
– Add: 2900 SW 28th Terrace, Miami, FL 33133, USA
– Tel: 305-373-4990
– Email: reception@strang.design
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