Project: Allison Island Residence
Architects: Choeff Levy Fischman
Location: Miami Beach, Florida, USA
Area: 11,270 sq ft
Photographs by: Courtesy of Choeff Levy Fischman
Allison Island Residence by Choeff Levy Fischman
The Allison Island Residence is a super luxurious waterfront home that offers 11,270 square feet of living space to its inhabitants. Its clean and elegant design was formulated by Choeff Levy Fischman which is why it strikes some resemblance to their Palm Island Residence project that we’ve featured before.
Just like the name suggests, this breathtaking home (also known as Atrium Residence) is located on the exclusive Allison Island in Miami Beach where it opens up views to the ocean.
Located on the exclusive Allison Island in Miami Beach, Florida, the rear of the Atrium Residence faces west and is located directly on the waterway that separates LaGorce Island from Allison Island, leading to Biscayne Bay and opening to the ocean.
The task at hand was to create a lifestyle that takes advantage of all that Miami Beach and South Florida have to offer. Choeff Levy Fischman designed an open floorplan that maximizes all water views and creates an environment that blurs the lines between what is considered outdoors and what is considered indoors. By doing this, residents are able to take advantage of the year-round weather that the South Floridians are privileged to.
In addition to indoor-outdoor living, the architects wanted to make it appear as if the second floor was floating over the first – emphasizing a lighter feel. This was accomplished by incorporating thin overhanging roof and slab elements, combined with corner opening sliding glass doors, which make the actual structure disappear into the exterior architectural elements of the design. This gives the occupant direct connectivity to the exterior from inside the home.
The front of the residence was designed to make you feel as if floating over the reflecting water ponds that guide you into the entry. The ponds emphasize the residence’s location directly on the water, maintaining the theme of water and open spaces throughout the home. A Zen quality was achieved using the ponds in combination with the floating structures. As soon as one enters the residence, they are immersed with views of the waterway and pool.
Each main living space on the first floor features vast opening sliding glass doors that fully open creating a feeling that you are outdoors under a covered canopy. Direct connectivity to the outdoor pool and deck area make the inside and the outside become one. An interesting feature in this design is the open atrium, which features two 20-foot living walls. This atrium allows direct views to the water, as well as the living areas from the interior open kitchen. When all sliders are open, the kitchen has direct connection through the residence to the exterior features and views. The modern architecture was also given a warm appearance with the repetitive use of Ipe wood. The first floor also features a large theater located at the north portion of the residence, which adds to the entertainment value of the home.
The second floor consists of the bedrooms, including an immense master suite and a mini-master suite, both with direct views of the water. A catwalk just off the main stair and elevator connects one side of the master suite with the other wing of the home that houses other bedrooms. The unique design of the two-story atrium allows for full water views from anywhere in the master suite – including the master bath and closet. The master suite boasts separate his and hers closets and bathrooms, as well as an elaborate shoe-handbag closet and custom vanity area. With corner-opening sliding glass doors, the architects were able to bring the outside in, allowing maximum views, and enhancing a floating effect over the ground floor.
The catwalk behind the bedroom features an open space on either side allowing for a two-story high entry and living room below. The glass above the living room sliders allow for an open view to the waterway, and elements below the catwalk transition at the second floor.
The architecture of this residence was designed in order to create a casual, yet elegant lifestyle befitting of the tropical neighborhood and South Florida living. The architects worked directly with the environment in creating a truly Tropical Modern living space for the future tenants of this residence.
The home consists of seven bedrooms, eight bathrooms and two powder rooms. It measures 10, 472 square feet, has 110-feet of water frontage, a three-car garage suite, home theater, auxiliary kitchen, commercial-grade elevator, fireplace, cabana pool house with outdoor kitchen and bathroom, and a pool.
