Seamless Touches Elevate Bal Harbour Condo

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minimalist design does not mean boring or basic. It may appear simple, but that’s just an optical illusion architect, designer and artist Oscar Glottman has been perfecting for decades. The Colombian-born designer produces exceptionally luxe spaces as a result of his innovative way of thinking and the unique materials and techniques he utilizes. “A project is not about decorating, but about figuring out the DNA of a space,” he says.

For this 3,790-total-square-foot oceanfront residence, Glottman was tasked with working in a limited space to create a third bedroom. The clients, who he met when they popped into his Wynwood shop, had purchased this residence as a second home but needed more space for when their kids and grandchildren vacationed with them. Glottman’s architectural background and experience made him the perfect choice. Plus, he shared the clients’ appreciation for a minimal aesthetic that encompasses a sense of timeless beauty. “Clients know I’m going to give them a home that’s a reflection of their needs, personality and culture,” he says.

Inside, Glottman pays homage to the cerulean ocean and verdant landscape with a limited  yet sophisticated natural palette of materials and colors. Concrete, linen, wool, glass, walnut, light and shadow all take center stage here without visually competing. To add the needed additional space to the unit, Glottman designed an elaborate system of moveable walls and doors. The flawless systems seamlessly integrate into the space so that they disappear when not in use. He created custom ceilings in a sharp-edge architectural design that resembles delicate pieces of origami with integrated Viabizzuno lighting as a way to make them seem higher.   

Though all of the furniture is sourced from Glottman’s showroom, he chose the kinetic sculpture by Xavier Veilhan from the clients’ personal collection because it welcomes the outside in when the balcony doors slide open and the tropical breeze caresses the mobile’s rods. For Glottman, the dining room is the heart of the home. Here, he chose an oversized walnut table paired with black leather-clad chairs that seat guests in the center of it all. Nearby, wall panels slide open to a den that doubles as a convertible guest room with its custom bed that resembles an elegant futon. Sculptural appeal wraps the powder room, where the centerpiece is the sculptural Lago sink designed to appear like the concrete gray resin wall peeled up to catch the water.   

In the master suite, Glottman strategically placed a full-length mirror next to the bed; took out the opposite wall (next to the TV) and replaced it with floor-to-ceiling glass; and placed mirrored closet doors on the way to the master bath. By doing so, he allowed for the ocean views to be pulled into the space and enabled the continuity of the horizon to continue seamlessly throughout the home.

Story Credits:

Interior Architecture and Lighting Design by Oscar Glottman, Glottman Anteprima, Inc., Miami, FL

Design by Oscar Glottman, Lissandra Castillo and Mari Aviles, Glottman Anteprima, Inc., Miami, FL

Text by Christie Galeano-DeMott

Photography by Troy Campbell, Miami, FL

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