Part of the island city of the Florida Keys, Key West is home to internationally famous beaches and resorts. Residents and tourists alike enjoy the sunny weather and ocean waves as well as the vibrant town. Many Key West residences incorporate a coastal atmosphere and a bright structural design. Some of these are situated on the beach, others enjoy quick and clear access. The common theme is, not surprisingly, the incorporation of outdoor living spaces.
The firms on this list offer the homeowner amenities like swimming pools, cabanas, and patios. These companies follow the client’s requests and needs closely while also folding the home into the broader community. Our editorial team generated this list of the top seven best residential architects in the area after looking into each firm’s experience, portfolio, process, and awards.
A2O Architecture LLC
3706 N Roosevelt Boulevard, St 202, Key West, Florida 33040
Pictured below is one of A2O Architecture’s best projects: a modern luxury second home on the double lot. The team did all the work for this particular project. The house was built around the existing pool to preserve it. Inside, contemporary furniture comprises the living spaces with dim yellow lighting to provide a calm, relaxed atmosphere.
The A2O team has garnered a portfolio of these kinds of projects, showcasing the firm’s designs and styles. A responsive and thorough approach results in quality projects using technical construction services tailored for each client. This small, family-owned architectural company has a combined experience of 18 years and has received awards such as the 2018 Preservation Award for Rehabilitation, the 2019 Preservation Awards for New Construction, and the 2019 Preservation Award for Additions. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has also accredited the firm.
Guillermo A. Orozco
1517 Washington Street, Key West, FL 33040
Founder Guillermo Orozco has an extensive background in architecture that spans numerous decades, dating back all the way to the 1980s. He established his own firm in 1994 and has since received numerous accolades, winning 19 Awards of Excellence from the Historic Florida Keys Foundation. His work has been featured in Coastal Living, InsideOut, and Key West Magazine. His portfolio showcases a plethora of modern residences, often incorporating wood as a primary material in the interior and featuring a detailed landscape for the exterior.
Pictured above is the Contemporary Cool residence near Casa Marina, which included impact-resistant doors and windows, a privacy fence and entryway, and interior renovations of two bathrooms. From the outside, it has a bright appearance with numerous tall trees and plants surrounding the home. It radiates a modern coastal home with its vibrant furniture and lush landscaping.
M. Stratton Architecture
3801 Flagler Avenue, Key West, FL 33040
Pictured below is the Key Colony Beach Compound, which received significant upgrades to its original 1960s look. The concrete compound now includes the addition of a swimming pool and poolside guest cottage along with a new mid-century modern inspired home and a second swimming pool constructed adjacent to the primary house in an empty lot. The finished product is a sophisticated, complex residence with large outdoor living spaces and a coastal beach appeal.
Owner Matthew Stratton established the firm in 2009 after completing his studies in the 1990s. Stratton’s primary focus is on residential design, historic preservation, restoration, and renovation, but occasionally he tackles commercial projects as well. He is a LEED Accredited Professional and has also received various awards and features from Coastal Living Magazine, Architectural Digest and Florida Designs Magazine.
D’Asign Source
11500 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050
D’Asign Source has been around for numerous decades offering the Florida Keys complete architectural services that include architecture, construction, interior design, and landscape architecture. The firm’s portfolio showcases an array of custom homes and remodeling projects that include kitchens, entertainment rooms, and home theaters. Today, the firm offers its services outside the Florida Keys and it has a showroom in the area for people to view its latest and best projects.
The project featured above is the Breakwater Residence, a coastal beach complex with massive outdoor and indoor living space. Located by the ocean in the Florida Keys, the residence includes various amenities that are ideal for a luxury coastal lifestyle. A large swimming pool, a courtyard, and a pool house are some of the amenities the firm included in the home. With its massive property size, pathways around the house illuminate at night. The result is appropriately sophisticated and cosmopolitan, complementing the surrounding area. This refined residence emphasizes its modern beach house style via comforting amenities and luxury furnishings.
William Shepler & Associates Architecture
201 Front Street, Suite 203, Key West, FL 33040
Pictured below is the Ashe Street residence, a completely remodeled coastal, modern house with a rear addition providing the home with a great room. This great room directly connects to the pool area, efficiently using the floor plan. A practical, functional home was what the client wanted. The result is a contemporary, coastal-themed home with bright modern finishes that feature wood and white-colored furniture.
Owner William Shepler established the firm in 2010 with the goal of transforming people’s lives with intricate, refined living spaces. Alongside Shepler is his small team of designers, Gary Darius and Marcelo Macas. Manager Paul Saviski oversees the office work but also takes part in various projects. Each member of the team has an extensive background in the business, which spans decades, equipping them with sufficient knowledge to offer their clients appropriate designs, methods, and techniques.
Thomas E. Pope, PA
610 White Street, Key West, FL 33040
The Whitehead Residence, featured below, is one of the firm’s prominent projects, receiving the Certificate of Excellence from the Historic Florida Keys Foundation. The multi-leveled home received a revamped look with the use of classic furnishing in a contemporary floor plan. Wooden flooring, white-colored ceilings, and cream-colored walls comprise the home’s structural design, complementing the numerous pieces of furniture. Outside, the swimming pool has a deck area and cabana available for private gatherings with the inclusion of curtains.
Thomas Pope and Gavin Scarbrough established the firm with a primary focus on restoring and remodeling old “Conch” houses but the firm has since expanded its services resulting in its impressive portfolio. Today, Pope and Scarbrough also tackle a variety of projects ranging from small boutique hotels, resorts, and guest houses. The pair follow the same approach to the detailing it provides in all its residential projects. In sum, the firm continues to establish itself as one of the top architects practicing in this competitive area.
