A House With A Solarium On Its Rooftop Deck

The Sun Path House isn’t the first home that’s closely connected to nature. In fact, a lot of the contemporary ones are. However, this is the first house we came across that has a solarium. We’ll explain that all in a minute but first let’s get some general information out of the way. The house is located in Miami Beach, Florida and was designed by Christian Wassmann, being completed in 2015. It’s envisioned as a simple concrete structure organized on three levels, with a connection to an existing 1930’s bungalow.

This is a house that shares a special connection with nature and with the sun in particular
This is a house that shares a special connection with nature and with the sun in particular
The building is structured on three levels, the lower one being mostly open
The building is structured on three levels, the lower one being mostly open

The dialogue between the new structure and the existing bungalow is very smooth and natural even though the two are very different in every sense of the way. There’s an open space between them and a wall that spirals outwards behind the bungalow which serves as the spine of the new project. This spiraling core is an important part of the house’s design and structure, being the element that connects all three floors and its curves being reiterated in various forms throughout the building.

The middle floor houses the master bedroom and other private spaces, being sandwiched at the center
The middle floor houses the master bedroom and other private spaces, being sandwiched at the center
The two upper levels are suspended above ground almost entirely, being perched on an angled core column
The two upper levels are suspended above ground almost entirely, being perched on an angled core column
There's a curved wall that wraps around the ground floor dining area, sheltering it from the wind
There’s a curved wall that wraps around the ground floor dining area, sheltering it from the wind

The spaces are structured on three levels. The ground floor is mostly an open space defined by a curved wall that frames the dining area. The wall wraps around the round-top table and features this built-in bench that completes the area and keeps the floor space free and open. This dining space feels very much like an indoor area despite its openness to the garden. It’s also very cozy and intimate and has a direct view into the bungalow.

Some of the spaces extend beyond the wall, being suspended like balconies
Some of the spaces extend beyond the wall, being suspended like balconies
This is a closer look at the open dining area on the ground floor of the house
This is a closer look at the open dining area on the ground floor of the house
The curved wall is actually a leitmotif for the house, the concept being reiterated in various forms
The curved wall is actually a leitmotif for the house, the concept being reiterated in various forms

The spiraling spine wall is full of surprises and not just at the ground floor, although that’s where this cool pizza oven can be found. As the wall reaches the roof of the building, it forms the solarium we mentioned in the beginning. What this actually means is that the curved wall maps the path of the sun on the summer solstice and at that moment the rays reflect off the wall onto the deck.

There's a pizza oven built into the curved core wall, accessible at the ground floor
There’s a pizza oven built into the curved core wall, accessible at the ground floor
At the top there's an open terrace with a very interesting feature: a solarium
At the top there’s an open terrace with a very interesting feature: a solarium

The interior is simple and harmonious. We particularly love the master bedroom which is situated on the second floor. Its windows are are partially covered in vines and the ambiance is amazing.

The interior is simple, modern and in sync with the nature-inspired theme of the project
The interior is simple, modern and in sync with the nature-inspired theme of the project
Large windows that frame the interior spaces bring the outdoors in and immerse the house into its surroundings
Large windows that frame the interior spaces bring the outdoors in and immerse the house into its surroundings