Rancho da Flórida

The home sits on a working 40-acre ranch. The structure is made up of three primary volumes, each separated by generous dog trots, and all under one  butterfly roof. The roof design simplifies the capture of rain water, and expands views across the ranch and lake under a deep porch eave. It also captures prevailing west breezes, funneling them into the outdoor areas and dog trots. 

The home features more outdoor living area than it has air-conditioned space. Deep eaves, well considered spaces on various parts of the architecture, huge operable screens, and consideration of wind patterns make these spaces comfortable for year-round use, allowing for less conditioned space in the build.  Material selections were influenced by both the local landscape and the client’s Brazilian heritage.The home is fully elevated, but it is rooted by columnar elements of clay brick and elevated planters of exposed concrete. In the guest rooms, bookshelves were built from a slab of reclaimed Guanacast  (Brazilian tree), recovered locally following Hurricane Irma.  It is the most energy efficient home in Florida, and among the most energy-efficient homes ever built. It has a HERS index of minus 31 and is certified Emerald by NGBS.