In South Florida, life unfolds between sunlight and shade—under the canopy of trees, on breezy porches, and within the dappled transitions between indoors and out. Penumbra builds on this regional sensibility, creating a comfortable and livable outdoor environment defined by the shelter of an expansive roof that both shades and claims exterior space.

Situated on a deep, narrow lot in the Coconut Grove neighborhood of Miami, the project revitalizes and adaptively reuses an existing single-family home, embracing the neighborhood’s urban density while celebrating its lush, tropical landscape. The design transforms the home’s relationship to its surroundings—extending the living spaces outward and weaving them through a sequence of shaded gardens, courtyards, and verandas.

At the heart of the design is the dialogue between the tree canopy and the roof canopy. The new roof bends and shifts to accommodate existing trees, extending into the garden and retracting where light and vegetation demand space. This interplay captures filtered sunlight and reflections from the pool, casting shimmering, moving light across the sloped underside of the roof—a surface that animates both interior and exterior spaces throughout the day.

Conical skylights punctuate the roof, allowing daylight to penetrate deep into the living areas and creating dynamic atmospheres that change with the sun’s movement. Light and color—central to the tropical experience—become active elements in the architecture, marking the passage of time and the rhythm of daily life through patterns of shadow, texture, and reflection.

The gardens are designed for resilience and longevity, using plantings and materials that thrive in the local climate. Building materials were selected for their efficiency, sustainability, and simplicity—favoring low-tech, high-performance solutions readily available in the region.

Together, these strategies create a home in balance with its environment: a place where shade becomes space, light becomes texture, and architecture deepens the connection between living and landscape.