American Houses

This house in Sarasota - FL, was a model home for a new development (1953) on Lido Key. It became an icon of mid-century modernism, the most recognized example of the Sarasota School of Architecture. Paul Rudolph architect. 2,000 sqft to explore modernism in a sub-tropical context.


Built before air conditioning, its north and south walls are constructed almost entirely of jalousies which open to allow breezes from the Gulf and Bay to cool the house. The house and pool were originally shaded from the intense Florida sun by a trellis structure, which quickly became known as the Umbrella. Take a look from the Umbrella House web site.

Below a video clip about a new Umbrella House concept in California.