design et al are delighted to announce that Mark J. Leonardi Architect PA have been shortlisted for the Residential Architectural Property Award in The International Design & Architecture Awards 2019.
Driven by the need to create an oasis away from the harsh winter up north, the home welcomes you with a warm embrace. Sophisticated in its execution, the project accentuates nonpareil craftsmanship throughout. Capturing its site, the residence is situated along Gordon River with views to the mangroves on Keewaydin Island and Gordon Pass to the west.
The residence functions as a series of pavilions sprawled throughout the landscape. These pavilions are tethered to one another through glass and stone corridors which act as the connective tissue of the design. Following contextual cues from its environment the intervention exudes a sense of simplicity and elegance. Its materiality reinforces this critical aspect of the design. The home revels in superb interior touches including fumed white-oak floors, Zepsa cabinetry and Tischler mahogany windows and doors with brushed stainless-steel accents. Abstract-expressionist pieces by Lee Krasner and Elaine De Kooning as well as antique pieces from around the world not only create provocative statements but add a level of refinement to the home’s leisurely ambiance.
The living spaces open to calming pools of water, clad in ciena-azul limestone with granite basins. This diaphanous play between interior and exterior highlights the attained lifestyle desired by its owners. The serene pools of water which delineate circulation are integral to the design. Dotted with sculptural follies of flowing water these pools become dynamic focal pieces. Complimenting these water features within the home are custom commissioned glass sculptures by Studio Bel Vetro and Lino Tagliapietra. Working in a similar way as the reflecting pools, the sculptures pull the eye and direct circulation.
From the very beginning Mark J. Leonardi Architect PA design was conceived with a sensitive approach to not only its surroundings but to the needs of the clients. The residence works as a retreat for an intimate stay or may also easily function as the stage for an evening of entertaining. Its timeless design ensures these functions for decades to come. While environmentally the home responds to natural stimuli such as, sun and rain, as a design catalyst rather than a hinderance. Teak screens, brise-soleil and canopies create opportunities for comfortable outdoor living without compromising aesthetics.