Business Details
Custom Tropical Residential Architecture in Vero Beach
We are a residential architecture firm dedicated to creating homes as unique as our clients. Our approach begins with understanding client dreams, site potential, and environmental factors to craft one-of-a-kind designs. With over three decades of experience in tropical architecture, we blend historical inspiration with modern functionality, prioritizing climate-responsive solutions that harmonize indoor and outdoor living. Our team of licensed architects and designers collaborates closely with clients, ensuring every project reflects both personal vision and regional context.We specialize in Florida, the Bahamas, and the Caribbean, where our expertise in operable louvers, material selection, and spatial planning transforms homes into enduring climatic sanctuaries. Recognized by the American Institute of Architects, our work balances artistry with practicality, treating every home as a bespoke expression of its environment and occupants.
Services
Residential Architecture
Tropical Home Design
Custom House Plans
Climate-Responsive Design
Interior Architecture
Landscape Design
Historic Preservation
Modern Lifestyle Integration
Site-Specific Architecture
Architectural Consulting
Highlights and features
- We create 100% custom home designs tailored to client dreams and site conditions
- Specialized expertise in tropical architecture addressing climate challenges
- 30+ years of experience blending historical inspiration with modern functionality
- Licensed professionals with deep regional knowledge of Florida and the Caribbean
- Client-centric process treating homeowners as integral members of the design team
Associations and certifications
- American Institute of Architects
Services
Residential Architecture
We create custom residential designs tailored to client needs and site conditions. Our approach combines artistic vision with technical precision, ensuring homes reflect both personal aspirations and environmental context. Projects range from new construction to renovations across Florida, the Bahamas, and the Caribbean.
Tropical Home Design
Specialized tropical architecture addressing heat, humidity, and storms. We design homes that maximize natural ventilation, utilize protective shading, and incorporate durable materials. Our solutions balance aesthetic appeal with functional climate adaptation, creating comfortable living spaces that harmonize with tropical environments.
Interior Architecture
We craft interior spaces that complement architectural exteriors while meeting practical needs. Our team focuses on flow, natural light optimization, and material selection that withstands tropical conditions. Services include custom cabinetry, built-ins, and finishes that enhance both beauty and functionality within climate-responsive frameworks.
Landscape Design
We design landscapes that extend living areas into the environment. Our approach integrates native plants, hardscaping, and water features to create functional outdoor rooms. Designs emphasize low-maintenance tropical vegetation while addressing drainage and microclimate considerations unique to coastal regions.
Site-Specific Architecture
We prioritize site analysis to inform every project. Our process examines topography, solar orientation, and existing vegetation to create buildings that respond to their surroundings. This approach ensures homes maximize views, natural light, and ventilation while minimizing environmental impact through thoughtful placement and material choices.
People
Clemens Bruns Schaub
Principal Architect / President / AIA
FAIA-credentialed architect with 30+ years specializing in tropical residential design. Focuses on merging historical inspiration with modern functionality while addressing climate challenges through innovative spatial planning and material selection.
Christine Pokorney
Senior Design Associate / Interior Architecture
Licensed interior architect with expertise in creating functional tropical interiors. Specializes in custom cabinetry, space planning, and material selection that withstands humid climates while maintaining aesthetic appeal and client-specific needs.
Michael Ohler
Senior Design Associate / Architecture
Experienced architect focused on translating client visions into buildable tropical designs. Skilled in integrating modern technologies with traditional climate-responsive techniques to create energy-efficient, site-specific residential solutions.
Tatiana Sanchez
Senior Design Associate / Interior Architecture
Interior design specialist with extensive experience in tropical residential projects. Concentrates on creating cohesive interior-exterior relationships through color schemes, material choices, and furniture layouts that enhance climate-adapted living spaces.
Neil Sickterman
Landscape Designer
Landscape design expert focusing on tropical environments. Creates outdoor spaces that complement architectural designs while addressing drainage, microclimate conditions, and low-maintenance requirements for coastal and island properties.
Questions
What architectural styles do you specialize in?
We focus on tropical residential design that blends historical inspiration with modern functionality. Our work avoids strict period replication, instead creating climate-responsive homes that incorporate traditional elements like operable louvers while meeting contemporary lifestyle needs.
Do you work outside Florida?
Yes, we design projects throughout tropical regions including the Bahamas, Caribbean islands, and coastal areas requiring climate-specific solutions. Our expertise in tropical architecture applies to any warm, humid environment needing specialized design considerations.
How do you involve clients in the design process?
Clients are integral to our design team. We begin with extensive consultations to understand lifestyle needs, aesthetic preferences, and site-specific opportunities. Regular collaboration ensures the final design authentically reflects client vision while incorporating our technical expertise in tropical architecture.
What makes tropical architecture different?
Tropical design requires addressing heat, humidity, and storms through elevated structures, cross-ventilation, protective overhangs, and durable materials. We specialize in creating homes that work with the climate using operable louvers, thermal mass materials, and strategic orientation to minimize energy consumption while maximizing comfort.
Can you renovate existing tropical homes?
Yes, we provide renovation services for tropical properties. Our approach modernizes outdated features while preserving climate-responsive elements that work. We assess existing structures for energy efficiency, ventilation, and material durability to create improved living spaces suited to current needs.
