This early 1960s “Sarasota School of Architecture” wood-framed house was designed by architect Bill Rupp as a very modest and inexpensive winter house with two bedrooms and one bath, a small kitchen, and living area. Over the years, numerous smaller modifications were made, including enclosing the screened area under the room to create a larger living room. The roof overhang along the south side of the house was drooping badly, and the plywood siding was deteriorating in many locations. There was no exterior hardscape to speak of, and with only a few small window areas, the house did not relate to the surrounding landscape in a meaningful way. The best feature of the house was its location within an enclave of mid-century modern homes of greater provenance and significance.

Other than wanting a master suite, the homeowners yearned for more openness, lots of natural light and a connection to the yard areas that they had spent much time and effort developing into a meaningful landscape. 

Due to flood regulations, the work on the house would need to be executed in two phases. First, an addition was designed that included a garage, master bedroom suite and connecting link compatible with and sympathetic to the original design. 

Following that addition came the renovation of the original house. The roof structure to remain was reinforced. All finishes were replaced with new. A new larger kitchen was created and roof areas over the dining and living areas were replaced at a higher elevation separated by clerestories. A steel structure was inserted to allow for the increased glass areas associated with this change and to also provide lateral load resistance complying with today’s codes.

Openings to the exterior were added, and existing openings were increased in size to significantly increase glass area. Exterior windows and doors were replaced with new insulated glass units and plywood siding was replaced with tongue-and-groove cypress. Inside or out, no surface has been left untouched resulting in a residence in touch with its modest past but claiming its place in the present.