Kiaora Residence
Deep in Coconut Grove – a neighbourhood 10 to 15 minutes from downtown Miami – lies a family-oriented enclave known for “its big canopy of oaks and foliage, [which is] a contrast to the rest of Miami with its tropical feel,” says architect Alexandra Mangimelli, partner at Strang Design.
A family with Argentinian and Spanish roots commissioned the firm to design a home centred on togetherness and entertaining. The program includes a dedicated barbecue area, a soccer field for the couple’s two children, as well as a private office and guest suite. Set on a deep, previously undeveloped lot with many mature trees, the site’s natural character influenced the residence’s unique form and facade.
Departing from convention, Mangimelli and the team inverted the program; bedrooms, an office and other private rooms are grounded at the garden level, while the kitchen, dining and living areas rise into the treetops, framed by oaks, poincianas and banyans. These elevated social spaces are bathed in natural light through large windows and slatted openings. A long, linear pool and integrated planters emphasise the site’s proportions. Circulation zones – from stairwells to hallways – received the same level of attention as primary rooms, ensuring no transition feels secondary. “The shape was more of a given, but the inversion and playing with the program and style itself was something both us and the clients embraced,” says Mangimelli.
When it came to architectural style, Mangimelli explored a range of approaches – even leaning into brutalist forms – before landing on a blend of “organic materials and playfulness”. Bold, raw materials interact with screens inspired by palm fronds and their overlapping leaves. “The result is a beautiful layering of light and a sense of privacy and intimacy, in lieu of a big glass box on top,” she adds.
The home spans nearly 766 square metres, with four bedrooms, five full bathrooms and three half baths. The aesthetic is unified inside and out, marked by stone, wood and soft fabrics, with art used to infuse colour. “From inside to out, the same energy and intent carries through – a unified language where architecture and interiors are inseparable.”
The living areas are airy and bright, with seating and artwork engaging with dappled light, while the dining room provides space for family meals beneath a timber-clad ceiling. The luxe kitchen is anchored by a trio of pendants and a waterfall-edge island, and the primary suite opens to a private Zen garden and outdoor shower. “It’s a tropical little hidden hot tub – away from it all.”
While the interiors convey a serene, contemporary character, the trees are the true showstoppers. In Miami, many are protected species, which extended the permit process. Portions of the home cantilever to preserve their root systems. “They did an X-ray of the ground and built around the roots,” explains Mangimelli.
For the family of four, Kiaora Residence is both sanctuary and stage – a place where daily rituals, lively gatherings and quiet moments fold seamlessly into the tropical spirit of Coconut Grove.
Architecture and interior design by Strang Design. Interior decoration by Edit Design Company. Build by Dangond Construction. Landscape design by La Casona Garden. Appliances by Sub-Zero Wolf.
