We, too, congratulate the winners of the annual Schuler
Award from the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach that recognizes new
architecture which builds upon the historical character of Palm Beach.
A Foundation trustee, James Berwind, had fond memories of
Bermuda vacations and worked with his good friend Architect Tom Kirchoff, a
Foundation member to design this home with a look as if it has been in this
spot forever and is true to Bermudian-style.
Details of the architecture include scalloped roof
gables, tall
chimneys with decorative caps, cut stone roofs, stepped ziggurats, dormer windows, coral keystone
steps, wall niches, built-in bookcases and a gondola-style dock. Gardens are
terraced, and a front pavilion offers a welcoming glow. Exterior is white.
Berwind says he liked
the fact that the Bermuda-style houses didn’t look intimidating. They weren’t
trying to impress anyone. He said that they always looked like a kid drew them
and the design stays true to that nature, as elegant as it is.
Amanda Skier, executive
director of the Preservation Foundation, notes that “the rambling nature of the
property … achieves the same feeling of organic development that (noted society
architect) Addison Mizner strove for in each of his designs.” They also built a detached
4-bedroom guest house that is separate from the main house.
The dramatic lakefront site
has beautiful gardens too. There are
9200 living sq ft and the covered loggia adds another 1600 living sq ft.
Dedicated
to animal-rights and pet-adoption causes, fundraisers can be held at the house
for as many as 200 guests. It is truly a house to love, feel comfortable in, and
enjoy.
