When I hear “planned community” the knee-jerk reaction isn’t the most positive for me. Typically, the first thought is cookie cutter, varying tones of one color (brown/beige) and low interest visually. We do what we have to do- its perfect for some, not so much for others. I’m confident for the first time more recently, the concept became exciting for me to LOVE a planned community?
Alys Beach, a 158 acre little town, located on the Gulf of Mexico, in Florida has the most incredibly thoughtful, consistent design driven community, I think I’ve ever seen. Dutch Colonial, Moorish and Mediterranean elements come together so cohesively. It reminded me of driving about the countryside throughout the Netherlands, but then somehow I was feeling Grecian-Santorini like with the whitewashed exteriors…that is the Alys Beach aesthetic.
Its a beautifully buttoned up and regulated-yet relaxed -New Urbanist town. I appreciate they have their own construction team to ensure design consistency and integrity within the community. Personally, I very much feel calmer when the architecture and property maintenance is consistent. I figured out that kind of love when living in Pasadena, Ca years ago- it was always so soothing to me. Even though the homes had different styles, they were well built, proper scale, building to land ratio considered and well kept. A wild contrast to LA where you’ll see a rambling ranch, stark modernist and nacho cheese colored Mcmansion (on a maxed out lot, usually) all on the same street. Makes me crazy. Weird? Probably. I’m ok with it.
Enjoy!
Masterplanned by DPZ & Khoury Voght
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Images: pencilshavings studio, Arch Digest, Alys Beach web
