sculptural sun path house in miami beach by christian wassmann

sculptural sun path house in miami beach by christian wassmann
image © casey kelbaugh

in miami beach, studio christian wassmann has completed a sculptural three-storey residential extension that establishes a clear dialogue with the site’s original 1930s bungalow. as its name suggests, ‘sun path house’ uses the sun as a way to foster the vitality and health of its inhabitants. designed for restaurateur frank prisinzano, the scheme establishes an open space between the original structure and the new addition.

the three-storey extension establishes a clear dialogue with the site’s original 1930s bungalow
image © todd eberle

an expansive kitchen serves as a spatial connection for the existing house while also providing a place of interaction for the owner and his guests. behind the bungalow stands an outwardly spiraling wall that is simultaneously structural, functional, and sculptural.

the upper levels feature vine-covered façades
image © todd eberle

at the top of this new building, a curved wall maps the path of the sun on the summer solstice, resulting in an intimate solarium. during this passage, the sun’s rays reflect off the wall onto the surface of the deck, while simultaneously shielding users from wind. ‘it is here that one can find solitude among the natural elements,’ explains wassmann. ‘this symptomatic experience under the open sky is free of the incursions of trivialities. at this moment, the user is able to identify an experience that is distinct from the banal. the highlighted interaction with the cosmos becomes exceptional.‘

the dwelling uses the sun as a way to foster the vitality and health of its inhabitants
image © todd eberle

below the vine-covered master bedroom on the second floor, the curved wall encircles a round bed, while hiding an open bathroom positioned at the rear. on the open ground level, the sinuous partition contains a large round dining table with a built-in bench that offers direct sightlines towards the bungalow.

a curved wall maps the path of the sun on the summer solstice
image © todd eberle

the top edge of the curved wall is rotated 11.25º in respect to the existing building and the site lines, in order to face north. inside the master bedroom, the curvature is parallel to the existing house, while on the ground floor the curvature is 11.25º towards the middle of the garden. the rotation point of this 22.5º twist is found inside the flue of a pizza oven, located in the core of the staircase.

an intimate solarium is found on the building’s roof
image © christian wassmann

the sun’s rays reflect off the wall onto the surface of the deck
image © todd eberle

the curved wall encircles a round bed, while hiding an open bathroom positioned at the rear
images © todd eberle

the residence is located in miami beach, florida
image © todd eberle

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project info:

location: miami beach, florida
total building area: 3,000 sqf / 32,292 sqm
new house enclosed area: 540 sqf / 5,813 sqm
new house sun path roof deck: 540 sqf / 5,813 sqm
new house outdoor living area: 540 sqf / 5,813 sqm
new house height: 26 feet / 8 meters
main materials: exposed cast in place concrete, terrazzo, carrara marble, walnut and ipe wood, glass, marine grade aluminum and vines

team:
client: frank prisinzano
design architect: christian wassmann
project team, studio christian wassmann: joana bem-haja, pino pavese, garrick ambrose, helene nishijo andersen, jorge rivera
architect of record: armando rizo, rizo carreno & partners, inc.
structural eng.: hector de los reyes engineering. inc.
electrical and mechanical engineer: project caine
general contractor: cobo construction corp.