Architecture + Interior Design: Strang Design
Landscape Consultant: La Casona Garden
Structural Engineers: Francisco Cuello Jr,
MEP: Henry Vidal & Associates, Inc
Civil Engineer: Jorge G. Maldonado
General Contractor: Contemporary Builders, Inc.
Photo Credit: Kris Tamburello
Press Distribution: v2com

About Strang Design

Strang Design is a Florida-based architectural, interior design and landscape design firm respected for advancing the principles of Environmental Modernism in extraordinary locations around the world. The firm’s distinguished and award-winning body of work is deeply connected to Florida, yet also includes projects across the Caribbean Sea, Florida and Florida Keys, Colorado, The Bahamas, The Dominican Republic, and United Arab Emirates.

Underpinned by talented individuals who each have their lens focused on a common thread – the enduring intrigue of modernism – the firm’s relationships with its clientele has propelled its success and served to expand the firm to two offices across the state: Miami and Sarasota—the birthplace of Florida modernism. Notably, the firm was recognized as the 2022 Firm of the Year by AIA Miami.

About Max Strang, FAIA

For 25 years, Max Strang has demonstrated a commitment to creating high quality designs with a focus on academic and professional engagement. In 1998, he founded Strang Design, a Florida-based architectural, interior design, and landscape design firm respected for advancing the principles of Environmental Modernism in extraordinary locations around the world. His design approach acutely considers the future impact climate change will have on residential and urban development in the coming decades, and his iconic designs thoughtfully integrate with South Florida’s subtropical climate.

Elevated to the AIA College of Fellows in 2016, and consistently recognized locally, regionally, and nationally for the strength of his design work, Max has won dozens of awards, including 2022 AIA Miami Architect of the Year, 2018 AIA Florida Medal of Honor for Design, and 2013 AIA Miami Silver Medal for Design.

Max has been published in over 200 magazines, news interviews, and books, and has produced two firm monographs, most recently “Subtropic, The Architecture of [STRANG],” which reflects the concepts of environmental modernism showcased in the firm’s numerous residential projects. Max has generated an impressive and well-crafted body of work that is consistent, rigorous, and varied. His use of materiality, detailing, and scale pushes projects beyond necessity into the world of architecture that is art.

The team skillfully blended striking materials, a thoughtful composition and the tropical location with the owners' Brazilian-influenced art and furniture to evoke the essence of a South American home. — The team skillfully blended striking materials, a thoughtful composition and the tropical location with the owners’ Brazilian-influenced art and furniture to evoke the essence of a South American home.

The strong, natural materials of the interior blend seamlessly with the exterior's warm, organic palette. — The strong, natural materials of the interior blend seamlessly with the exterior’s warm, organic palette.

While the home's palette is predominantly earth-tone, abundant teak paneling, as seen here in the dining room, provides pops of dramatic contrast. — While the home’s palette is predominantly earth-tone, abundant teak paneling, as seen here in the dining room, provides pops of dramatic contrast.

The living room's expansive, floor-to-ceiling openings allow for multiple views onto the lush gardens and pool. — The living room’s expansive, floor-to-ceiling openings allow for multiple views onto the lush gardens and pool.

The design pays homage to the clients' Brazilian heritage, serving as a showroom for the vintage furniture and artwork that they have collected throughout the years. — The design pays homage to the clients’ Brazilian heritage, serving as a showroom for the vintage furniture and artwork that they have collected throughout the years.

Unfilled travertine flooring crosses from the patio to the interior, creating an overall sense of warmth.

In the kitchen, stools made from camel leather and linen soften the strong lines.

The home's Brazilian influences and vintage touches, which include these Sergio Rodrigues chairs, blend beautifully with the teak paneling, oak stairs and travertine floor. — The home’s Brazilian influences and vintage touches, which include these Sergio Rodrigues chairs, blend beautifully with the teak paneling, oak stairs and travertine floor.

Generous pops of color are provided by the homeowners’ art collection, which includes this Jonny Niesche piece in the intimate seating room.

The living room features a Janaina Tschäpe painting, Amir Nikravan sculpture, Jorge Zalszupin coffee table, and Jean Gillon armchairs.

Another view of the living room, which features a Janaina Tschäpe painting, Amir Nikravan sculpture, Jorge Zalszupin coffee table, and Jean Gillon armchairs.

The well-appointed living room also serves as the entertainment hub for family and friends, in contrast to the more private realm upstairs.

The space between the living and dining rooms feature a Giuseppe Scapinelli coffee table, Sergio Rodrigues armchairs, and Elias Sime’s Tightrope: I Want to Slow Down and Think, 2017.

The home's unique footprint forms a protected courtyard for the pool, which extends into the rear yard. — The home’s unique footprint forms a protected courtyard for the pool, which extends into the rear yard.

The design team wrapped the second story in vertical Ipe wood fins.

The exterior facade's material distinctiveness is due to rough-cut Jerusalem tile and exposed board-formed concrete. — The exterior facade’s material distinctiveness is due to rough-cut Jerusalem tile and exposed board-formed concrete.

The private, upstairs bedrooms enjoy tropical views of the landscape.

In the primary bedroom, light fixtures are by Apparatus Studio and the painting is by Marcia de Moraes; George Nelson benches serve as bedside tables.

The wall and custom basin in the primary bathroom utilize the same Jersualem stone as the exterior.

This bedroom is furnished with a Togo pouf by Michel Ducaroy and a woven artwork by Tammy Kanat.

This outdoor seating area features a fire pit and evocative sculpture.

The home's distinctive evening glow highlights its unique shape — The home’s distinctive evening glow highlights its unique shape

The H-shape footprint of the house glows at night.

Strang Design’s exceptional skills in creating an environmentally conscious home with stunning architecture and interior design were on full display in their project for a family of four from Brazil. The team paid careful attention to the clients’ desires and way of life, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that reflects their cultural heritage.

One of the primary design goals was to ensure that the home had a sense of connectivity, despite its size. Strang Design achieved this by creating comfortable spaces that were ideal for gathering, yet still allowed for individual activities. The use of vintage, one-of-a-kind furniture that reflected the clients’ cultural background added a unique touch to the design.

A significant challenge for the team was sourcing materials that met the clients’ needs, while also being environmentally friendly. Strang Design rose to the challenge, using unfilled Travertine for both the interior and exterior flooring, and teak slatted ceilings and walls for texture and warmth. They also incorporated strong natural materials like rough-cut Jerusalem tiles for the exterior walls, exposed board form concrete, and teak millwork accents throughout the home.

In addition to their focus on natural materials, Strang Design paid close attention to the landscaping, working with landscape architecture studio La Casona Garden. Together, they sourced many native species and designated a portion of the property as a Certified Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation.

The residence features a stunning selection of material choices and brands for the interiors, including Mia Cucina for the kitchen design; Opustone for the stone materials; Apparatus Light Fixtures; top-of-the-line appliances from Subzero and Wolf, as well as AV solutions from AVX. These brands were carefully selected to complement the overall design and meet the clients’ needs and desires.