A Zen Retreat in Florida by Jason Fort

Designer Jason Fort has sent us photos of the 68 Water Street project, a contemporary built to complement and blend in a historic neighborhood in St. Augustine, Florida.

Completed in 2007, this 2,400 square foot two-story home features two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a 400 square foot roof deck.

10.17.11 – Update: this home is now on the market, offered at $799,000.

68 Water Street House by Jason Fort:

“This contemporary residence is built on a small rare in fill lot (47′ x 150′) and nestled amongst homes, dating from the 1800’s. The home is meticulously crafted and uniquely designed to take full advantage of this incredible location. Each window has a unique story to tell, framing historical elements in nearby structures, a 100′ Bronze cross on the near by Catholic mission grounds, and incredible azure waters of the Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal waterway. The slender design (20′ x 60′) of 2,400 Sq. Ft. consists of two living floors, and a 400 sq. ft rooftop skydeck to entertain guests and take in a panoramic view of the amazing setting.

With the use of natural materials and muted colors the design aims to blend with the palette of the older adjacent structures. The home requires minimal maintenance and is designed to acquire an exterior patina as it ages. The exterior of the structure incorporates copper panels on north face of building, and concrete and wood. The hardwood siding was meticulously installed using 8000+ stainless steel screws, each hole hand drilled and countersunk. The interior is open and airy with large doors at the rear pivoting open to the pool, tropical landscaping and garden.

The owners are avid gardeners utilizing vertical hydroponic towers yielding incredible harvests in a very small area. Local crushed shell has been used as ground cover to create a beach like tropical oasis. The pool features an incorporated spa, incredible buddha head fountain, and was purposely designed to be perfect for an intense game of water volleyball.

The master bath features a sunken soaking tub with overhead rainshower and color changing LED lighting to create the perfect ambience. Overall the interior has a warmth created by the utilization of natural stone and wood. The interior trim work utilized the left over exterior siding down to the last board. The house features wonderful lighting from Droog design and Ingo Maurer as well as custom fixtures by the owner/designer.

Jason Fort, the designer and owner, is self taught in the realms of art, design, architecture and building construction. The 68 Water Street residence represents his first completed single family residential project.”