When he began the process of building his family home from scratch a couple of years ago, Miami architect Tom Diverio was armed with the enviable knowledge gained after executing some 300-plus design projects. He knew exactly what he wanted and how he wanted it done, so his check off list was long.
First was selecting a location for the new structure. “We have two young children, so my wife and I knew the area we wanted to be in, but tracking down the right size lot was not easy,” says Diverio. They did eventually find it, however: a one-acre parcel with copious trees on a quiet street in Pinecrest.
With the neighborhood settled, next came deciding what kind of dwelling they wanted. Luckily, the couple was on the same page on that regard. “We’d been to Bali on a trip together and had both fallen in love with the warmth of the tropical modern style of the homes there,” says Diverio. “We love the indoor/outdoor style of living and having natural light throughout the day, so we set out to recreate that experience.”
What resulted is a 7,100-square-foot residence that is faithfully honest to its original inspiration. “The way I approached the design was to create ‘pods’ that are connected by glass hallways,” says the architect. “The main area of the home is one pod that includes the kitchen, dining room, and living room, as well as a home theater, a wine room, and a powder room. At the front of the house is another pod with a three-car garage, a storage room, and a music studio. Opposite from that is the kids’ pod for our son and daughter, which includes their bedrooms and bathrooms, and a central playroom where they can hang out with their friends. At the rear of the house is the last pod with the primary bedroom and bath, an office, and a screened-in outdoor spa.” Detached from the main structure is a two-bedroom, two-bathroom guest house.
In terms of the home’s decor, while the Diverios aren’t hardcore minimalists, they did lean into their less-is-more sensibilities. “We like our spaces to be sophisticated and clutter-free, but at the same time feel warm and inviting,” says Diverio. “This is done through careful material selection and lighting design, both of which can make or break a project.”
To that end, a mix of organic stones, porcelain, and natural woods tell the texture story inside, while indoor and outdoor lighting rely on both technology and aesthetics to ensure proper illumination. Sleek millwork and contemporary furnishings denote the tailored, modern style the homeowners envisioned. But it’s not just about style. This is a home by and for the people who live in it—the aforementioned music room is where Diverio, a drum player since he was 9, indulges his inner rock star, and the wine room is the domain of Michelle, an enthusiastic oenophile who personally organized their 500-plus bottles by region and country.
Outside, the house’s façade speaks to Diverio’s attention to detail as an architect with elements such as columns with a porcelain wood finish to match the louvers and eaves of the exterior and a reflecting pond that surrounds the main structure. In the backyard, lush landscaping by Christopher Cawley sets a tropical, Bali-esque backdrop for the oft-used pool lined with green tiles.
“We had our heart set on creating a home that we could really enjoy with our kids, family, and friends,” says Diverio. “One of the slogans of my firm is ‘build a lifestyle,’ and that is truly what we have done here.”
Story Credits:
Text by Luis R. Rigual
Photography by Lauren Gryniewski
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