Catamaran House

When clients Pat and Milana first approached Daniel and Victoria Lear of Lear Studio Architects, their goal was to refresh and modernize the deteriorating 1970’s home they had bought in the historic Pink Streets neighborhood of St. Petersburg, FL. They talked about their years living on a sailboat and their love of minimalism and eco-conscious design, philosophies which every good sailor must embrace. They did not want the spaces to be separate but rather the home to seamlessly flow from room to room, outdoor to indoor, and they wanted a “big pivot door”. Daniel felt like he could see that the couple felt hemmed in by the existing home and were unsure how much of their dream could be brought to reality, so he proposed two designs, the first being a modest renovation keeping the existing roof structure, but replacing all the major systems, and the second was what he felt they were longing for —high ceilings and expensive vistas. The project scope was immediately expanded and the minor renovation transformed into a full reboot of the homes aesthetic. After decades of neglect and additions of varying quality, it became clear that to meet all of the client's needs both aesthetic and practical for the harsh Florida climate, a drastic change was needed. Informed by the existing footprint, Daniel proposed a small expansion that would have a big impact, and a new roof to raise the ceiling and produce dramatic visual change. Floor to ceiling doors pocket away to allow the interior spaces to seamlessly connect, while towering walls of glass sliders open to expansive outdoor spaces. Pat and Milana’s lifestyle on their catamaran required the couple to be surrounded and connected to the natural world around them, to be clutter free and sustainable, and they wanted to see that lifestyle reflected in their home. Daniel & Victoria's design intentionally orients windows and doors to create a sense of seclusion and privacy while connecting to the landscape. Long banks of transom windows bring in natural daylight allowing the ceiling to be free of what Pat abhorrently called “Ceiling Acne”. The home strives to be as passively sustainable as possible. Large overhangs strategically designed to prevent direct sun from overheating the home combined with substantial insulation allow this home to need little in the way of AC in order to remain comfortable even in the midst of Florida's brutal summer months. The white membrane roof was specifically engineered to hold an array of solar panels, and Tesla Powerwalls in the garage, maximize sustainability while reducing the home’s carbon footprint. As the process of demo and construction began Pat and Milana’s vision also began to expand and as Daniel’s design took shape, the project became a truly collaborative process for the interior design and outdoor living spaces. The Ipe wood on the exterior of the home began to wrap inside more dramatically and the kitchen island was expanded to become an integrated dining room table cut from a single massive slab of live edge Brazilian hardwood. The home’s existing side courtyard became what Pat dubbed the “Urban Patio”, an intimate oasis sheltered by the new office. The space functioning both as an outdoor extension of the living room, and as the couples private hot yoga retreat, the modern monolithic fireplace allows for year round enjoyment or to really crank up a workout. Passing through the massive 10.5ft tall pivot door into the home you are immediately transported to a breeze filled expanse of comfort and functionality, designed as the perfect haven for two sailors looking for a little shore leave.