1520 West 21st Street
MIAMI MODERN ARCHITECTURE
Coined a “Parasol” by former Miami Beach zoning director William F. Cary, this two-level residence on Sunset IV Island makes use of a large concrete canopy to shade the primary residence below. The initial design strategy for the Parasol House came about from the Hiss Residence (Umbrella House) located in Sarasota, Florida. Large spans of operable glass panels at the Parasol House is an ode to the MiMo styling of Miami Beach and is an attempt by the Architect to replicate the visual effect of the jalousies featured on the Umbrella House. The windows also provide floor-to-ceiling views of the exterior and a sense of ambiguity between the living space and exterior envelope.
TYPOLOGY
The large, 4,003SF parasol, or canopy acts to shade the primary residence by completely enveloping the living structure and isolating it from the sun’s rays. By reducing the amount of solar heat collected and acting as a thermal-isolator, the Parasol also reduces the water-carrying capacity of the air inside the living space; further reducing loads imposed on air-conditioning. The Parasol house consists of 4 bedrooms, 5 baths, dining, great rooms and a large master suite that faces a gigantic 44ft-wide open-air loggia at the 2nd level rear.
DESIGNED FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
Because the energy needed to cool the house was greatly reduced, the Parasol House was permitted much larger window openings than typically found using today’s prescriptive energy code method. The Parasol House employs the use of the latest insulated glass panel technology and are constructed using a special silicone glazing process.
Coined a “Parasol” by former Miami Beach zoning director William F. Cary, this two-level residence on Sunset IV Island makes use of a large concrete canopy to shade the primary residence below. The initial design strategy for the Parasol House came about from the Hiss Residence (Umbrella House) located in Sarasota, Florida. Large spans of operable glass panels at the Parasol House is an ode to the MiMo styling of Miami Beach and is an attempt by the Architect to replicate the visual effect of the jalousies featured on the Umbrella House. The windows also provide floor-to-ceiling views of the exterior and a sense of ambiguity between the living space and exterior envelope.
TYPOLOGY
The large, 4,003SF parasol, or canopy acts to shade the primary residence by completely enveloping the living structure and isolating it from the sun’s rays. By reducing the amount of solar heat collected and acting as a thermal-isolator, the Parasol also reduces the water-carrying capacity of the air inside the living space; further reducing loads imposed on air-conditioning. The Parasol house consists of 4 bedrooms, 5 baths, dining, great rooms and a large master suite that faces a gigantic 44ft-wide open-air loggia at the 2nd level rear.
DESIGNED FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
Because the energy needed to cool the house was greatly reduced, the Parasol House was permitted much larger window openings than typically found using today’s prescriptive energy code method. The Parasol House employs the use of the latest insulated glass panel technology and are constructed using a special silicone glazing process.