Goethe Farm House

BACKGROUND

This log cabin residence sits on a twenty-five acre horse farm, surrounded by the vast Goethe State Forest on three sides. Originally commissioned to assemble the art collection for the project, Formwork went on to oversee the design of the landscape, renovate the interiors and, in 2024, expand the garden spaces and add a gym to the cabin.

SITE DESIGN STRATEGY

Shaped rectilinear landscape spaces close to the house such as a grove of fruit trees, a coral rock entry courtyard and a racetrack bed between barns use the native plants and trees palette of the adjacent forest along with select non-native Florida plantings. This landscape is cultivated and curated in its form but its textures are lush and unruly like its surroundings.

INTERIOR, ART, FURNISHINGS DESIGN STRATEGY

The distinct color, form and texture of the cypress log building material is offset with crisp bright colors in the artwork as well as in the furnishings and interior architecture. The clean lines of the new elements are distinct from the building envelope and are designed to float inside it, set off by reveals and stark color and texture changes.

Art procured with an understanding of the family's sensibilities and interests fills the house

SITE SPECIFIC ART INSTALLATIONS

We worked with Miami artist, Karen Rifas, on a site specific piece that took advantage of the great height and open plan of the cabin. Using the leaves from live oaks, Karen's piece brings the texture, movement and light qualities of the outside to the main interior space. Along with Karen's piece, the work of over forty other artists populates the interior and gardens of the house.

DETAILS & CRAFTSMANSHIP

The long time collaboration with builder Mercer Russell on the project has introduced opportunities to showcase high levels of craft in stone, wood, metal and fabric.

COLOR

The power and mechanics of color have been a long-time focus of Formwork's design work. At the Goethe House, the clients wanted the collection to feature the use of strong bright colors. This carried over into the design of the furnishings and built-in cabinetry.