Like a tree house set in the limbs of a mature oak in the neighborhood, the master suite that occupies the entire second level of the home is a true getaway. The difference, of course, is that the space is much more luxuriously appointed in its finishes and is zoned for several specific activities. The lounge, for instance, is for reading, relaxation, conversation, and television viewing, or it could easily serve as a nursery. Equipped with a coffee bar, it sits in the southwest corner to gain the most natural light and views of Lake Eola—which is even more visible once the owners step out to a private balcony that extends over the home's entry porch.

Like a tree house set in the limbs of a mature oak in the neighborhood, the master suite that occupies the entire second level of the home is a true getaway. The difference, of course, is that the space is much more luxuriously appointed in its finishes and is zoned for several specific activities. The lounge, for instance, is for reading, relaxation, conversation, and television viewing, or it could easily serve as a nursery. Equipped with a coffee bar, it sits in the southwest corner to gain the most natural light and views of Lake Eola—which is even more visible once the owners step out to a private balcony that extends over the home's entry porch.

The bathroom, meanwhile, blows out to occupy the entire back of the floor plan and includes a sheltered outdoor shower alcove (below), his-and-hers walk-in closets, and a generous laundry room.

The bathroom, meanwhile, blows out to occupy the entire back of the floor plan and includes a sheltered outdoor shower alcove (below), his-and-hers walk-in closets, and a generous laundry room.

Credit: James F. Wilson

Credit: James F. Wilson

The lounge also gains light from the hallway and windows along the north elevation through a pair of interior single-hung windows as well as from the glass bridge to the balcony.

The lounge also gains light from the hallway and windows along the north elevation through a pair of interior single-hung windows as well as from the glass bridge to the balcony.

Credit: James F. Wilson

LEFT EXPOSED: Several of the pre-cast-concrete walls of the home's construction are left exposed on the inside surfaces. Those in the stairwell (shown here) and home office were acid-washed to create random patterns and colors for visual interest. The joints between the precast-concrete panels are welded, patched, and sealed with an industrial caulk.

LEFT EXPOSED: Several of the pre-cast-concrete walls of the home's construction are left exposed on the inside surfaces. Those in the stairwell (shown here) and home office were acid-washed to create random patterns and colors for visual interest. The joints between the precast-concrete panels are welded, patched, and sealed with an industrial caulk.

Credit: James F. Wilson

WATER WALL: A translucent glass wall separates Kohler's generous Cornerstone whirlpool tub from the outdoor shower, allowing light and privacy. A sheet of water cascades down the glass on the outside for a unique visual effect.

WATER WALL: A translucent glass wall separates Kohler's generous Cornerstone whirlpool tub from the outdoor shower, allowing light and privacy. A sheet of water cascades down the glass on the outside for a unique visual effect.

Credit: James F. Wilson

PIVOT ACTION: A 4-foot-wide, raised panel composite door from Masonite pivots to close off either the sleeping area from the bathroom or the toilet and bidet closet from the rest of the bathroom, saving swing space.

PIVOT ACTION: A 4-foot-wide, raised panel composite door from Masonite pivots to close off either the sleeping area from the bathroom or the toilet and bidet closet from the rest of the bathroom, saving swing space.

Credit: James F. Wilson

TILE STYLE: Full, 12-by-12-inch, matte-finished floor tiles from Dal-Tile's Veranda Porcelain line in Gunmetal feature 1-by-1-inch inlays at the corners. The tiles border a pebbly surface that extends through to the outdoor shower and up the walls of the tub for a visual and sensual feel.

TILE STYLE: Full, 12-by-12-inch, matte-finished floor tiles from Dal-Tile's Veranda Porcelain line in Gunmetal feature 1-by-1-inch inlays at the corners. The tiles border a pebbly surface that extends through to the outdoor shower and up the walls of the tub for a visual and sensual feel.

Credit: James F. Wilson

PRODUCT SPECS
  • CLOSET STORAGE: A custom, modular storage system from The Closet Factory in both his-and-hers walk-in closets adjacent to the master bath provides ample capacity and flexibility as the owners' needs change.
  • ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLS: Touchscreen and programmable controls from Honeywell serve multiple zones for heating, cooling, and other environmental systems that support the home's low-energy–use design and construction. The company also supplied wall-mounted controls for the security system.
  • HARDWOOD FLOOR: The hallway separating the stairs from the master suite features Forest Stewardship Council–certified sustainable oak flooring in a straight-plank pattern over a sound-deadening underlayment, both from Kährs International. The floor is pre-finished for easy maintenance and emits no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in application. The flooring also is used in a herringbone pattern throughout the third level.
  • BATH FANS: The UltraSilent series of ventilation fans from Broan-NuTone, installed in every bathroom of the house, features dynamically balanced centrifugal blower wheels, low RPM, and anti-vibration motor mounts for quiet, efficient performance.
  • TANKLESS WATER HEATERS: Space- and resource-efficient wall-mounted units from Rinnai Corp. each produce up to 8.5 gallons per minute of endless hot water to eliminate standby energy loss and significantly reduce water usage. The system's internal unit can be vented through a side wall or the roof, while the external unit can be mounted on the outside of the house or recessed between the studs.