A Dynamic Relationship Between Discerning Clients And Their ArchitectYielded A Pure Modern “Green” Home Resplendent In Floor-To-Ceiling

Glass That Seamlessly Integrates The Interior With The Outdoors

ARCHITECTURE Jaya Kader Zebede,KZ Architecture, Inc., Bay Harbor Islands, FLBUILDER Gabriel Boano, Arc + TecDevelopment, Inc., Bay Harbor Islands, FLLANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE Deena Bell,Bell + Aqui Landscape Architecture LLC,South Miami, FLTEXT Roberta KleinPHOTOGRAPHY Robin Hill, Miami Beach, FL

The narrow lateral scoring of the stucco edifice reinforcesthe horizontal lines of the house, where floor-to-ceiling glasswalls offer a glimpse into the open floor plan of the interior.

000 FLORIDA DESIGN VOL. 20 NO. 2

MODERN THROUGH MODERN THROUGHAND THROUGH

000 FLORIDA DESIGN VOL. 20 NO. 2

IT’S NOT OFTEN THAT EVERY ASPECT OF the design and building of a custom home clicks, but whenit does, it reflects outstanding teamwork. Such was the casewith Gabriel Boano and his wife, Paula Lowenstein Boano,after selecting architect Jaya Kader Zebede to design theirmodern house in Bay Harbor Islands. Kader Zebede, anaward winner and LEED (Leadership in Energy andEnvironmental Design) accredited professional, had a totalunderstanding of the couple’s mindset.

The team’s efforts gave birth to a handsome, highlylivable, modern home that has already won a prestigious

ABOVE: A white buffet behind twin square dining tables and white chairs fromAnima Domus visually divides the great room, where rounded columns harkento pilings used in building the waterfront structure. Nearby, a Le Corbusierlounge in pony-print leather, right, fronts an original Castiglioni Arco floor lamp,while an organic mixed media on canvas by Roberto Matta colors the space.

Gray-toned flooring covers most of theinterior spaces with seven-foot slabs thatflow along the axis. Here, in the stairwayentry, a bronze floor sculpture, “Cadenade dos eslabones,” by Polish-Mexicanartist Xawery Wolski provides a focal point.

Venezuelan artist Dario Basso’s grand-scaledacrylic and oil on canvas both complements anddominates the living area. Floor-to-ceiling glasswalls overlooking the lily pond in the front courtyarddefines the relationship between indoors and out.

000 FLORIDA DESIGN VOL. 20 NO. 2

000 FLORIDA DESIGN VOL. 20 NO. 2

Design award from the FloridaChapter of the American Instituteof Architects and a coveted silverLEED certification from theU.S. Green Building Council.And even more importantly, this5,500-square-foot home withfour bedrooms plus a guest roomand staff quarters fulfills all theneeds of the couple and theirthree young children.

Paula grew up exposed to theaesthetics of modern architecturein her family’s spacious modernhome in Buenos Aires. Gabriel, abuilder who also studied archi-tecture, developed his love ofmodernism through exposure toBauhaus design and the work ofarchitects such as Mies van derRohe at the University of BuenosAires Architecture School. Thus,communication between theteam was excellent, buoyed bythe couple’s knowledge of themodern vernacular.

LEFT: “We tried in every other house welived in to give it our modern touch but itwasn’t what we wanted,” homeownerPaula Lowenstein Boano says. With asimplistic style and artistic flow thatincorporates ample windows and openfloor plans, “this one got it.”

“WHILE THE HOUSE IS AT THE FOREFRONT

OF ENERGY AND HIGH PERFORMANCE BEST

PRACTICES, IT ALSO ASPIRES TO EMBODY

THE POETRY OF GOOD DESIGN,”

ARCHITECT JAYA KADER ZEBEDE SAYS.

with risers “carpeted” in wood,while glass panels situatedalong the side enhance theethereal, floating effect.

Just beyond, a formal livingarea sports modern vintagefurnishings from Paula’s 1960schildhood home, including twosmoky blue sofas and a daybed.The house is bathed in naturallight throughout captured fromabundant rectangular windowsand floor-to-ceiling glass wallstopped with clerestories.

The “green” house designwas important to the environ-mentally sensitive architect and,fortunately, she recalls, “Paulaimmediately embraced theidea.” Gabriel soon becameequally passionate with goodreason. Not only is their electricbill 40 percent less than that oftheir last home, but they aresaving water to irrigate theirgrass and flowers during thedry season.

“We feel better that in somesmall way we are contributingto preserve our environment,”he says. “Our house is the firstin Dade and Broward countiesto achieve silver LEED certifi-cation from the U.S. GreenBuilding Council and GoldCertification from the FloridaGreen Building Coalition. Inaddition, it has received EnergyStar for Homes certificationfrom the U.S. EnvironmentalProtection Agency.”

Kader Zebede positionedthe house for cross ventilation,incorporated overhangs andbalconies in the home, providedthe cistern that collects waterfor irrigation, utilized environ-mentally preferred productsand included a solar hot watersystem — all of which earnedpoints for LEED certification.

“I like to work with peoplewho are interested in designexcellence,” Kader Zebede says.“The intent is that the team’sefforts will result in a timelessarchitectural piece.”

SOURCESFront ExteriorLandscape lighting - Visual Lighting,Miami, FLSteel columns fabricated by MNREnterprises of South Florida, Inc., Miami, FLRailings - NBA Metal Work, Inc., Hialeah, FLFountain - Bell + Aqui LandscapeArchitecture LLC, South Miami, FLMediterranean marble wall fabricated byNaturali Stone LLC, Miami, FLFront door - Synua by Oikos, OikosDesign, Milano, ItalyStairway EntryStairway and railing - Custom designed by Art + Tec Development, Inc.,Bay Harbor Islands, FLStairway fabricated by MNR Enterprises of South Florida, Inc., Miami, FLRailing fabricated by Custom Steel &Glass, Miami, FLArtwork and floor sculpture - DianaLowenstein Fine Arts, Miami, FLLiving AreaSofas and daybed - Poul Kjaerholm,Owners’ CollectionCocktail tables and Le Corbusier chaiselounge - Owners’ Collection Arco floor lamp - Achille and Pier GiacomoCastiglioni, Owners’ CollectionArtwork - Diana Lowenstein Fine Arts,Miami, FLMediterranean marble wall - NaturaliStone LLC, Miami, FLSteel columns fabricated by MNREnterprises of South Florida, Inc., Miami, FL Area rug - Odegard, Inc., Miami, FLDining AreaDining tables - Porada, Anima Domus,Miami, FLDining chairs - Jesse, Anima Domus,Miami, FLConsole - Alivar, Anima Domus, Miami, FLVases on console - Owners’ CollectionLight fixture - Kartell, FLRear ExteriorPool and planters - Custom designed byBell + Aqui Landscape Architecture LLC,South Miami, FLFabricated by Ashley’s Pool Construction,Inc., Royal Palm Beach, FL Railings fabricated by NBA Metal Work,Inc., Hialeah, FLExterior lighting - Visual Lighting, Miami, FLPlanters fabricated by MNR Enterprises ofSouth Florida, Inc., Miami, FLThroughoutLEED AP consultant - Gary Shlifer, GreenBuilding Florida, Hollywood, FLStructural engineer - Ali Arbab, ArbabEngineering, Inc., North Miami Beach, FLCivil engineer - Gary Bloom, GGBEngineering, Inc., Fort Lauderdale, FLMEP engineer - Leonardo Naveiras, Inc.,Hollywood, FLLighting consultant - Alejandro Vargas,Visual Lighting, Miami, FLWindows - Infinite Windows, Dania Beach, FL

000 FLORIDA DESIGN VOL. 20 NO. 2

“I like to work with people who are interested in designexcellence,” Kader Zebede says. “The intent is that theteam’s efforts will result in a timeless architectural piece.”

Two voluminous structures at the front of the house introduce the modern character.The larger one on the right contains the greater part of the home’s program, while thesmaller interpretation provides a ceremonial envelope for the great room, stairway andmaster bedroom above.

Both components border a covered walkway, which accentuates an axis that stretchesthrough the house and terminates at the dock overlooking the picture-perfect bay andIndian Creek golf course. Major views in the main areas capture the dramatic composition.

The home is entered through a nine-foot-high teakwood door, as heavy as if it weredesigned for a massive vault. Immediately to the left, a concrete stairway circles upward