Award-Winning Tropical Modern Style takes Southwest Florida by Storm

Architects celebrated the modern coastal design of Architecture Joyce Owens | Studio AJO with top honors.

The AIA Florida Southwest (AIA FlaSW), a chapter of the American Institute of Architects, recognized Architecture Joyce Owens | Studio AJO with two Honor Awards for Captiva Island homes, cementing the firm’s reputation for modern coastal residential design.

“These two homes on Captiva Island demonstrate how the elements of modern design are perfectly suited for Florida’s hot, sunny, and humid environment,” Joyce Owens, FAIA, RIBA, Principal Architect, Architecture Joyce Owens

“Modern design has a rich history in Florida and is steadily gaining a foothold in Southwest Florida. I’m honored that my peers have recognized two of our tropical modern homes,” says Joyce Owens, the principal of the Fort Myers-based architecture firm she founded in 2007.

At the 2019 AIA Florida Southwest Design & Honor Awards, the firm received the Interior Architecture Honor Award for Villa Captiva and the Restorations and Additions Honor Award for Captiva Peace.

“These two homes on Captiva Island demonstrate how the elements of modern design are perfectly suited for Florida’s hot, sunny, and humid environment. That’s because they maximize the benefits of the natural tropical settings while offering shelter from the elements,” says Owens.

For example, at Villa Captiva the cross-ventilation combined with strategically located windows and glass promote a seamless flow from indoors to outdoors. At Captiva Peace, the extensive overhangs deflect harsh sunbeams but still allow plenty of indirect sunlight. In addition, this design shields the home from the afternoon tropical downpours, keeping the rain from seeping inside.

Both beachfront homes also feature interior design work by the firm. Captiva Peace includes custom furniture designed by the architect. Inspired by the angles of the original house, the pieces provide natural wood accents using wood from a fallen walnut tree on clients’ property. 

Architecture Joyce Owens is well-known for its distinguished modern designs and minimalist interiors adapted to Florida’s lush tropical environment. AIA Florida Southwest recognized Architecture Joyce Owens as the Firm of the Year in 2018.

Owens was president of AIA Florida in 2017 and is known for her leadership in the industry. in 2018, she was elected to the prestigious College of Fellows at the National level of the American Institute of Architects. She currently serves on the American Institute of Architects Strategic Council, which advances the profession by informing the national organization’s board of important professional issues and opportunities. Owens

Prior to forming her architecture firm in Fort Myers in 2007, Owens was a co-founding partner at the London-based firm Azman Owens Architects, where she worked with high-profile private and commercial clients including British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, fashion icon, Alexander McQueen, and luxury retailer, TAGHeuer. Her work has received awards from the United Kingdom’s Royal Institute of British Architects and international competitions. Owens graduated from Notre Dame University with a degree in architecture before winning a Rotary Foundation scholarship to study in London.

To learn more about Architecture Joyce Owens | Studio AJO, please call 239-425-5773 or email info@studioajo.com.

November 25, 2019