TL;DR
Get furniture and decor delivered free — and shop member deals
- Fast, free delivery on millions of items
- Access to Prime Big Deal Days deals on October 6–7
- Prime Video, Amazon Music and more included
Nina and Michael Marco have completed a six-year reconstruction of Paul Rudolph’s 1955 Sewell C. Biggs Residence in Delray Beach, Florida. Guided by Rudolph’s original plans, the work retained the elevated steel pavilion while adapting the house to current coastal safety requirements and adding a contemporary wing.
Nina and Michael Marco have completed a six-year reconstruction of architect Paul Rudolph’s 1955 Sewell C. Biggs Residence in Delray Beach, Florida, preserving its elevated steel pavilion while adapting the property to current coastal safety requirements. The project, undertaken with architect Jeffrey Silberstein, used Rudolph’s original drawings and photographs discovered in the house after the Marcos bought it in 2018.
The home measures 1,600 square feet and retains the original arrangement of two bedrooms and two bathrooms. Its steel structure was rehabilitated and raised to meet coastal flooding standards. The elevated glass pavilion remains supported on steel columns, with exposed beams, large openings and jalousie windows intended to admit the Atlantic breeze.
A two-story glass breezeway connects the historic residence to a contemporary addition designed by Silberstein. The new section includes a kitchen, powder room, two en-suite bedrooms and a two-car garage. The Marcos also enclosed the area beneath the raised house with sliding glass panels, creating a ground-level living, dining and entertainment space based on a concept found in Rudolph’s drawings.
The renovation took six years. The Design Milk report describes the central challenge as reconciling the 1955 structure with present-day hurricane codes while meeting historic preservation requirements. The house’s finishes include oyster-pebble terrazzo imported from Italy, aluminum, natural stone, wood and warm neutral colors; tropical landscaping, a terrace and a contoured swimming pool complete the property.
A Modern Home Around Rudolph’s Pavilion
The project shows how a significant mid-century residence can be adapted for present-day use while retaining key features of its original design. Its raised steel pavilion, glass openings and breezy plan remain central, while the enclosed lower level and new wing add spaces for everyday living.
The work also illustrates a practical tension in coastal preservation: historic materials and forms must be reconciled with flooding and hurricane requirements. The report describes the Marcos’ approach and design decisions, but provides no independent assessment of the home’s compliance or performance.
Plans Found After the 2018 Purchase
The residence was designed by Paul Rudolph in 1955 for Sewell C. Biggs. When the Marcos purchased it in 2018, they found photographs of the house from the 1950s and Rudolph’s hand-drawn plans in a red velvet bag in a bedroom closet. Those materials informed the reconstruction.
Rudolph’s original design lifted the glass pavilion on steel columns, leaving an open area beneath it that served as an entertainment space and carport. The renovation enclosed that level, drawing on an idea included in the original plans. The glass breezeway separates and links the preserved home and the new addition, while the report says the project adhered to historic preservation requirements.
“From day one, our mandate was simple: honor Rudolph’s design no matter how difficult, time-consuming, or costly.”
— Michael Marco
Code Details and Long-Term Performance
The report does not specify which hurricane-code provisions drove particular design changes, how the structure was raised, or what permits and technical reviews were required. It also provides no independent evaluation of the completed home’s resilience, energy performance or maintenance needs. The precise completion date is not given.
The Residence Returns to Daily Use
The completed renovation returns the Biggs Residence to use as a home, with the Marcos’ additions integrated around Rudolph’s original structure. The report does not announce further construction, a public opening or a preservation program. Future plans for the property have not been reported.
Key Questions
Where is the Paul Rudolph residence?
It is in Delray Beach, Florida, on the Atlantic coast.
When did the Marcos buy the house?
Nina and Michael Marco purchased the former Sewell C. Biggs Residence in 2018.
What original features were retained?
The project retained the elevated steel structure and glass pavilion, along with the original two-bedroom, two-bathroom layout. The steel was rehabilitated and raised to meet coastal flooding standards.
What was added during the renovation?
A glass-enclosed breezeway links the original house to a new wing with a kitchen, powder room, two en-suite bedrooms and a two-car garage. The area beneath the elevated house was enclosed as additional living space.
How long did the reconstruction take?
The renovation took six years, according to the Design Milk report. It does not state the exact completion date.
Source: rss
Fall Picks
fall essentials
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
