TOTeMS Architecture’s Conch-Shaped Casey Guest House Sits Lightly Among the Mangroves

Posted By Tafline Laylin On May 11, 2012 @ 1:00 am In Architecture,carousel showcase,gallery | No Comments

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"Respect nature and the rest will follow" was the design philosophy behind the conch-shaped Casey Guest House in Florida. A small structure overlooking Sarasota Bay ^[6] and a small oak forest, the guest house is constructed out of wood and sits very lightly among the surrounding mangrove trees. Despite being constrained by strict FEMA regulations, TOTeMS Architecture ^[7] has managed to achieve the coveted balance between minimalism and pure island elegance.

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It’s not easy to build among mangrove trees ^[8], which have wild, sprawling roots, so the designers employed a specialist steel manufacturer to create unique pilings on which the raised home rests, ensuring that not one single tree was disrupted in the process of constructing the 488 square foot guest house.

The ground level is equipped with plenty of storage space, the first floor is reserved for a small bedroom, kitchen and living space, while a tiny loft appears beneath the curvilinear roof ^[9] stacked with laminated pine beams that blur the boundary between wall and roof. This curved roof gives the structure its organic appearance in keeping with the goal to pay respect to the surrounding environment.

+ TOTeMS Architecture ^[7]

Via Plataforma Arquitectura ^[10]

first and final image © William S. Speer, all others via TOTeMS

Article printed from Inhabitat – Sustainable Design Innovation, Eco Architecture, Green Building: http://inhabitat.com

URL to article: http://inhabitat.com/totems-architectures-conch-shaped-casey-guest-house-sits-lightly-among-the-mangroves/

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[5]  : http://inhabitat.com/totems-architectures-conch-shaped-casey-guest-house-sits-lightly-among-the-mangroves/casey-guest-house-2/?extend=1

[6] Sarasota Bay: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarasota_Bay

[7] TOTeMS Architecture: http://totemsinc.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=19&Itemid=73

[8] mangrove trees: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mangrove

[9] curvilinear roof: http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/curvilinear

[10] Plataforma Arquitectura: http://www.plataformaarquitectura.cl/2012/05/09/casa-guest-totems-architecture/

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