Thibeaux Architecture :: Residential Portfolio

The Oakwood Residence is a custom designed private residence in the classic International Style of Architecture, creating elements and spaces similar to Yoshio Taniguchi’s expansion of the Museum of Modern Art in N.Y.C. The residence will be located within a very unique three-acre urban site that is covered with a thick grove of Live Oak trees and tropical plant life. It will feature a glass curtain-wall that soars to three stories in height, two breathtaking glass staircases (one all glass), a massive glassblock wall for the Conserviary, a distinctive reflecting pond, as well as many other striking features that will entice the visitor to explore each and every space and view.

This residence possesses many features that add to its unique design and its harmonious interaction with the surrounding environment. A very serious effort has been made to respect the existing trees and plant life to the extent that the house was designed to fit under specific tree branches. No heavy equipment will be allowed on the site to disturb or ruin plants and vegetation. This will present a challenge to the builder, tradesmen and craftsman, both in demolition of the existing house and construction of the new structure. The new house will closely follow the footprint of the existing one-story structure's foundation in order not to disturb or damage the very large Live Oak trees that completely encase the existing house on all sides and canopy over the entire roof.

Every effort has been taken to design this house using Sustainable ("green") Architecture. The primary effort is to preserve the virgin naturalness of the three acres for the plants, small animals, birds and insects that live there. Renewable and recyclable materials will be used wherever possible, such as bamboo floors, porcelain tile for the living room floor and bathrooms, and an extensive use of glass. A blue-tinted glass will be used to reduce glare and some heat transmission. Tankless "on-demand" water heaters powered by natural gas will greatly reduce energy use. The kitchen ranges and cloths dryer will also use gas, which is more efficient than electric appliances. All of the lighting will use energy efficient compact fluorescent lights (CFL), low voltage halogen fixtures, and LED lighting. When it rains (and it certainly does in South Florida) on the multi-level roof, the rain is forced to flow and cascade down to adjacent lower roof levels. The water from the entire roof system is directed to one location where it “waterfalls” into the main reflecting pond which can be seen directly from the West end of Living Room. It then flows over an “infinity edge” into a 12,000 gallon Cistern where the rain water is stored .The Cistern will be used to supply the massive water features on the west side of the house, as well as irrigating trees and plants.

The Living Room (20’ x 48’) has a twenty-eight foot high all glass wall (with no mullions) at the East end looking out at a tall and expansive Conserviary (see below). At the West end of the Living Room there is a ten-foot high curtain wall overlooking a reflecting pond with an infinity edge at the far end. The infinity edge is formed by a sheet of plate glass making the “cube” of water to appear to be standing up by itself. The Living Room ceiling includes three different heights which flow into adjacent rooms on either side eliminating the feeling of a long narrow space.

The Kitchen is a chef’s delight! It features a six-burner Viking Professional range and also a separate matching giant wok burner, also by Viking. The ultra-sleek refrigeration “columns” will be by Gaggenau. There will be two 13.1 cubic foot refrigerators, one 12.2 cubic foot freezer, an under-counter wine cooler, and a dishwasher also by Gaggenau. The large kitchen has a very efficient floor plan. The ranges are placed in a central long island with counter surfaces using Richlite (tm). Richlite is made from environmentally sustainable resources and is an attractive, durable, long-lasting material that complements this design. All other equipment and storage cabinets directly behind for easy access. This arrangement forms the well known and very efficient “Galley Kitchen” cooking area. The Kitchen, which is raised two and a half feet above the main floor level, also has an eating Nook that overlooks the Living Room as well as the Conserviary. The Kitchen is in full view of the Dining Room, so that the hosts and chefs can converse with and entertain guests while preparing distinctive cuisine.

Younger guests will enjoy the adjacent Media Room where many forms of the visual arts can be enjoyed and contemplated: Movies, Books, Art, Sculpture, Video, TV, Video Games, and more. Just steps away from the Art/Design Studio where many works to be displayed will have been created.

The Art / Design Studio is a large space with a 12 foot high ceiling and will be well lit with very large windows on two walls, a large glass block opening on the third wall and three 4’ x 4’ skylights above. There will be a nine foot wide by fourteen foot high roll-up "garage door" to allow large sculptures and other constructions in and out of the studio. Cars can also be stored there during a hurricane. The studio will also have a fire-proof kiln room for firing ceramic pottery.

The Master Suite will have many special features giving the couple a luxurious retreat within the home.

The Master Bedroomwill feature three walls with a large continuous curtain wall window, forming a “U”. The head of the bed will be at the bottom of the “U”. While lying in bed, the view will not only be all around and behind you, but when looking up, one will discover that the ceiling is all glass from side to side and looking up to the sky through a full canopy of oak trees. The glass is Code-Approved impact resistant.

The Dressing Room / Vanity will have a fifteen-foot long counter with two large lavatories with a spacious makeup vanity between them for the lady of the house. There will be an eight-foot wide fixed glass window overlooking a reflecting pond at sill level to enhance the transition from inner space to the expansive outdoors. Two concealed mirrors skillfully hidden behind the vanity cabinetry will slide out when necessary. There will also be a dramatic five-foot wide sloped glass ceiling running the full length of the vanity counter for extraordinary day time and night time lighting. The opposite side of the dressing room will have a fifteen foot custom designed closet, with full length mirrors on the doors. With the center door closed and the two side doors opened to a 45 degree angle, a perfect three sided dressing mirror is created.

The Master Bath will have an attractive column shower adjacent to tile decks with two hand-held showers. The shower column stands in front of a south-facing window viewing a raised reflecting pond just below the window sill. One is literally surrounded by nature just outside. In addition to the cleansing column shower there is a unique and custom Re-Circulating Shower that will rejuvenate the senses using only 7 gallons of water for an hour long experience. Two walls of the Re-Circulating shower are floor to ceiling glass providing an “outdoor” experience. The Master Bath will also have a traditional Japanese style full-body soak tub, a bidet for her and an elegant sculptured waterless urinal for him.

One of the design criteria was to bring the magnificent exterior environment of this large property inside the house. This was accomplished by having expansive windows in almost every room. Most of these openings will be covered with a curtain-wall glazing system (often seen in hi-rise construction). The other openings include three large 16 ft x 8 ft clerestories. At the twenty-eight foot high ceiling over the Living Room 12” x 12” glass block will be used. This glass "vue block" has 85% visibility so that the exterior landscape (the ever present Live Oak canopy) and sky will be very visible. The Media Room will also have glass block so that the outside view will be less of a distraction. The residence has extensive glazing but there will be no operable windows. Therefor, to satisfy building-code life-safety rules, each bedroom with have a door exiting directly to the exterior. There will be a total of seven doors exiting the house, making it virtually impossible to be trapped inside. All of the windows will have laminated high-impact glass that meet Miami-Dade County Product Approvals for hurricane protection. The expansive glass block openings will be protected by concealed code-approved roll-up doors.

The residence will also include an enormous (33’ x 20’ x 32’ high) walk-in climate-controlled Conserviary ** (we have coined this term... see ** below) with a waterfall flowing over a “natural” stone wall into ponds and streams. A Koi pond is also on the horizon. It will also have bromeliads, orchids, and many types of tropical plants. The animal life will feature over 50 finches, koi fish, turtles, frogs, and any other birds, animals, and insects (hopefully butterflies) that are compatible. The plants in the Conserviary will be irrigated by an over-head sprinkler system that will simulate rain. This system will not only give excellent watering to the ground plants but will also take care of all the orchids and bromeliads that are attached to tree branches and mounted in the rock wall. The desired effect will be that of a tropical rain forest. >>>
CONSERVIARY UPDATE 2012-02-17: A recent acquisition of a "Gongshi" (aka "Chinese Scholar Rock") will add more imagination and creative design to this increasingly complex and extraordinary space.

The Mezzanine, located above the Study at the top of the main stair case, provides access to the Roof Deck. Its also serves as an intimate space with a unique vantage point above the Living Room and with a great view of the southern exposure. The Mezzanine has it's own full bath and can serve as a spare bedroom on occassion. A curtain system will surround to east and north sides to gain privacy. The south wall is all glass up to approximately thirty feet above the first floor. The Mezzanine also possesses a special space called the Upper Loft. The loft is reached by an all glass enclosed spiral staircase. The Upper Loft will also serve as a place for meditation and reflection. It has an incredible view over eighteen feet above main floor again with an all glass south wall with sloped glazing at the peak.

The Roof Deck and Upper Roof Deck have been designed to allow residents and guests to experience the incredible views of the Live Oak canopy at the upper levels of the residence. The decks are accesible from the Mezzanine level just at the top of the grand glass main staircase. The decks are quite ample in space and proportion to allow many guests to enjoy the wonderful seasonal climates within the embrace of the Live Oaks.

The residence will be constructed of concrete, steel, and glass. No traditional wood will be used in the construction of the house. Three interior pocket doors and all of the cabinets will be made of PlyBoo a type of "plywood" made of bamboo.. The roof and upper floors will be short-span concrete slabs or concrete slabs on steel bar-joists for the longer spans. This will make the house fire proof and termite proof and will minimize damage to the roof if any of the many Live Oak trees should drop a large branch during a storm or what is referred to locally as a "wind event". Speaking of storms and wind events, should a storm of significant threat to life and limb occur, a central portion of the residence has been designed as a " Hurricane Safe Room" completely surrounded by thick concrete walls and ceiling. Two exits are provided in case one gets obstructed. Contained within the Hurricane Safe Room room is a full bathroom, a small kitchenette and walk-in closet to provide ample room for inhabitants. The entire house, including Hurricane Safe Room and other areas of the home will be provided with emergency automatic generator power.

Newly added to the whole project is the re-use of an Accessory Structure located to the northwest of the main house. This building will be used for outdoor functions like BBQ and also for storage of garden equipment. There is alot on the site to interest horticulturists, near and far.

The lady of the house, Thao, is originally from Viet Nam and a practicing Buddhist. The owners have an extensive collection of Buddha and Quan Yin sculptures, and paintings by Vietnamese artists. An eight-foot high seated Buddha made of concrete, was brought over from Viet Nam. This is Thao's primary Buddha and is set in a wood Pagoda (seen at top of most this projects web pages) that was skillfully and lovingly crafted and erected by the owners.

** Conserviary defined: (a combination of Conservatory and Aviary)

Conservatory: a greenhouse for growing or displaying plants
(from the Latin conservatorium, from conservare 'to preserve' - first known use: 1664 A.D.)

Aviary: a confined place for keeping birds .
(from the Latin aviarium, from avis bird; akin to Greek aetos eagle - first known use: 1577 A.D.)

Owner’s Personal Statement

I bought this magnificent three acre piece of "wilderness in the middle of the city" about 5 years ago to build my dream home. I have a degree in Civil Engineering (1960) and Architecture (1963) from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, but I never practiced either profession. I am the designer of this house from the overall concept , down to the finest detail. I worked closely with Project Architect Keith M. Popiel and the staff at Thibeaux Architecture Inc. to achieve the final results.

I chose the firm of Thibeaux Architecture, Inc for many reasons. Firstly, Thomas E Thibeaux, RA has the same design criteria that I do and an extensive knowledge of the Miami-Dade building code. He also has practical hands-on knowledge of building materials and construction procedures. Mr. Thibeaux will also be the on-site construction supervisor. His firm is producing extremely detailed working drawings for this very complex structure that has critical dimensional tolerances and alignments. The structural and mechanical engineers are also of top quality and are working closely with me and the Thibeaux firm to integrate all aspects of this complex project. Thibeaux and his team’s knowledge and expertise have greatly enhanced my design, and I would recommend them to anyone without reservation.

P.R.B.
Miami, FL
October 2008
(updated 2012-02-17)

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