VOA
Designed for passionate art collectors, this condominium renovation transforms a fragmented mid-1990s interior into a refined space that both showcases and preserves a carefully curated collection. The owners envisioned a warm, inviting home that celebrates family life and makes art an integral part of the everyday experience.
The concept, Vessel of Art (VOA), is a contemporary interpretation of the traditional vessel as an object designed to protect and reveal what is valuable. Like ancient vessels created to preserve precious materials, the residence becomes a carefully crafted framework—a quiet architectural backdrop that elevates the significance of the art within.
The renovation began by simplifying the existing interior. Angled walls were removed, partial-height partitions were extended to the ceiling, and continuous surfaces were created to provide uninterrupted settings for artwork. These interventions bring greater clarity and cohesion to the original linear floor plan, replacing its fragmented geometry with a more ordered spatial experience.
At the center of the home, the original stair was replaced with a lightweight cantilevered steel structure and a transparent glass railing. Appearing to float within the space, the stair serves as both a functional element and an architectural object, reinforcing the relationship between the home's circulation and its art collection.
A restrained material palette creates a quiet setting for the artwork. Crisp white surfaces provide a gallery-like backdrop, while warm wood adds texture and a human scale. Glass partitions and railings allow natural light to move through the interior while maintaining visual continuity between spaces.
In VOA, architecture does more than provide a place to display art. The home becomes the vessel—protecting, framing, and celebrating the collection while creating an environment where art, family, and everyday life can coexist.
Location:
Longboat Key, Florida
Type:
Condominium Renovation | Interior Architecture
Status:
Completed, 2018
Awards:
2021 | SRQ Magazine Home of the Year Platinum Award for Best Remodel | Renovation
2020 | AIA Florida Gulf Coast Merit Award for Renovations and Additions
2019 | AIA Florida/Caribbean Merit Award of Excellence for Renovations and Additions
Photography:
© 2018 | Ryan Gamma