A glazed courtyard occupies the centre of this Florida residence by Seibert Architects, bringing light to the interiors and organising the circulation around the building.

Completed earlier this year, the Schechter Residence is a low-slung home that offers its owners a beach-focused lifestyle in Sarasota, Florida.

Located just a few metres above from the shore, the 4,000-square-foot (372-square-metre) home enjoys a gently stepped-back garden leading down to the water.

"The pool area and waterfront yard are terraced to provide flat outdoor space for waterfront activities, children at play and to ease the transition down to the water," said Seibert Architects, which is also based in Sarasota.

The entry sequence into the home leads into a lush courtyard. This exterior space enclosed by glass walls brings light into the building and also offers a space for the owners children to play.

"The courtyard, surrounded by glass on three sides, enriches movement through the house and enhances the entry by bringing light, vegetation, and sky to these experiences," said Seibert Architects.

The living spaces and primary bedroom are laid out as an enfilade of spaces facing the water. These rooms have much higher ceilings and are vaulted to make room for clerestory windows.

"These curved forms contrast with the more serious rectilinear nature of the design," said Seibert Architects. "Its inhabitants describe them as uplifting."

Open shelving that separates these spaces helps to define each without completely enclosing them.

The western facade of the home is fronted by tall sliding glass doors that lead out to the pool deck.

This outdoor space is sheltered by a large retractable awning and a screened enclosure to protect users from harsh direct sunlight and insects.

This offers a year-round connection between the inside spaces and the pool and backyard.

The remainder of the bedrooms are located on the opposite side of the home, facing the street.

Two children's bedrooms share a common play area away from the living room, while the guest bedroom has its entrance closer to the foyer, for more privacy.

The home's mostly white finishes reflect Florida's beach-oriented lifestyle. Seibert Architects provided pops of colour with bright furnishings, while the exposed wooden ceiling vaults add some warmth to the overall palette.

Other residences in Florida include an all-white home by Jeffrey Dungan that was completed in a range of different architectural styles, and a Miami Beach home for an art collector by Shulman + Associates.

The photography is by Ryan Gamma.

Project credits:

Architectural firm: Seibert Architects
Architect of record: Samuel C Holladay
Project architect/designer: Michael Epstein
Structural engineer: Hees & Associates
Contractor: Yoder Homes