Frank Lloyd-Wright Post Modern Residential Architecture can be obtained in Central Florida once again!
In 2003, two members of our team were asked by an Orlandoan couple to make their dream of creating a Frank Lloyd-Wright Post Modern Home in Central Florida a reality. Prior to being introduced to Kathleen and Perry Norflus, the couple had met with several other Central Florida builders who not only were unable to envision the couple's desires, but in more than one instance, claimed such construction and quality-standards were not achievable. Both the home-owners and Architectural Digest (Spain) are happy to say, those doubting Thomases were wrong. Whether it was the hand-selection of each concrete block, or countless project-meetings with Sub-contractors and suppliers,no detail was overlooked.
Orlando’s version of EXTREME MAKEOVER
When our team was first approached to do this project in the LakeComo area of Orlando by the Architect, the first thing that came to mind was the word “WOW!” Taking a fifty year-old, single-story home of less than 800 Square Feet, and turning it into a Modern, Asian-inspired Two-Story structure with expansive, open decks, and Lap-pool was certainly a challenge we were happy to get; and all of this was to be done with the owner remaining in the home for the duration of the project!
While the logistics of construction were daunting, (Due to the constraints of the property-lines, construction of the pool was necessitated prior to any work on the home-addition) we were ready to sink our teeth into it! Today, the home no longer resembles it’s “bread-box” past, now boasting expansive, open and naturally bright rooms with solid red-oak floors a custom-fabricated wooden staircase that was hand-crafted on-site, and accented by an original-design custom-railing system which had to be fabricated, shipped and installed all in one piece! Along with all of these interior features are the European lighting systems throughout the interior of the home, in addition to the unique Kohler Plumbing fixtures. The natural grain-like composite decks and porches on both levels of the home allow a truly care-free lifestyle that works exceptionally well with the outside environment, while retaining the property’s over-sized front and rear yards.
One of many seamless house additions our team-members have managed since the 1990's:
This particular project in Wekiva Springs required paying close attention to detail when tying the existing home to the 900+ square feet of new living-space in order to create the "Free-Flow" feel the architect envisioned. Special care was made in every aspect of the work-zone; beginning with sealing-off and weather-proofing the remaining home from the work-area to provide a safe, clean environment for the home-owner during construction, to "mating" the new and old floor surfaces together as the project reached it's conclusion. Everything from the custom-designed Faux mantle over the fireplace, and Faux-beams overhead in the Media-Room defy the eye's ability to detect real from the "near-real". Creating the illusion that the new addition was always part of the main-structure, leads visitors to think the now surrounded pool and deck area were always part of the view from the Media-Room. (And isn't that what every home-owner wants; an addition that no visitor will ever see as "an addition"?)
An Orlando Landmark is born!
Zello Urban Cafe' was a new concept in "Downtown Orlando" Dining several years ago when it was first designed. Based on a proven theme, the owners of this epicurean delight wanted to create an atmosphere that equaled the foods, exotic coffees, fresh-baked breads and pizzas they prided themselves on serving the general Public in a unique environment every day. From the two-story columns which frame the outdoor seating, to the centrally-located two-story high Clay Oven smoke-stack which led to the restaurant's second-story commercial kitchen, everything about this special eatery must be considered unique as the food served! From the laser and pin lighting features, to the local artistic displays covering all the walls, to the hand-laid Tuscan floor tiles, no detail was omitted from the designer's vision. All of this was accomplished in a space that housed a bank only 12 weeks before the restaurant's Grand Opening. Talk about tight construction-schedules!
24-Hour eclectic-styled foods make their mark on Downtown Orlando!
When the Architect and owners of The Globe Café awarded our team the construction-responsibilities for this unique dining establishment several years ago, their main concerns of how a general contractor would accomplish the build-out of the Café without negatively impacting both their Coffee House Restaurant and the Kit-Kat Night Club located in the same building was essential. Once Kathleen had explained the process she was going to employ over the length of the construction-schedule, and techniques to be applied during demolition and build-out stages, everyone in the ownership-group of the project was sure the right contractor was selected to turn what was at the time a less-than-desired after-hours club known as The GO Lounge, into what is now one of the most talked about trendy restaurants in all of Central Florida! As promised, the build-out was completed on schedule, on budget and without any negative impact to the adjacent businesses the owners also operated right next door to what is now The Globe Café. Being awarded Orlando's Downtown "Golden Brick Award" from the Orlando Business Journal was the crowning Jewel achievement for Kathleen's many sleepless nights during this project.
Whether it's the underground-inspired interiors of the main dining-area, the urban-styled seating, or the Parisian, Open-Air feel you get which is created by the abundance of French-Doors located along the side and front walls of the restaurant and lead out onto the patio dining area of the café; one thing is for sure, the pleasure you will have taking in all the sights around you while your food is being prepared will be second only to your taste-buds exploding when you take that first bite from one of the many uniquely prepared dishes served ONLY at The Globe!
