Seaside Sanctuary: Inside the Rossi House

Ada Louise Huxtable once described Milan-born Aldo Rossi (1931-1997) as “a poet who happens to be an architect.” It’s fitting that the Rossi House, the only home designed by the Pritzker Prize–winning architect in the United States, is located in one of the country’s most fascinating and beautiful planned communities: Seaside, Florida. Throughout his career, Rossi applied architectural thinking to all kinds of designs that referenced different eras, from his “La Cupola” Coffee Pot for Alessi, to the avant garde Teatro Del Mondo, a floating theater that sat 250 guests at the 1979 Venice Biennale, and his innovative design for the Cemetery of San Cataldo in Modena, Italy.

Pritzker Prize–winning architect Aldo Rossi was the greatest neo-rationalist architect of the late 20th century. This residence, in Seaside, Florida, is his only house in the United States and his last building before his untimely death.

The town of Seaside had already become famous among architects and urban planners long before its star turn as fictional “Seahaven Island” in the 1998 Paramount Pictures film The Truman Show. Jim Carrey stars in the movie as Truman Burbank, the only unwitting participant in a popular reality show TV about his own life, in which all his family and friends are actually played by actors. Rather than build a set to represent the neighborhood where Truman lives, director Peter Weir opted to set the movie in Seaside, which had all the makings of an idyllic American small town. At once chic, modern, and walkable, Seaside has an ultra-contemporary aesthetic as well as an urban plan that’s rooted in tradition.

Seaside, the birthplace of the New Urbanism, a movement to revive traditional town building, has received countless awards for its plan and for the architecture of numerous other buildings by leading architects.

This isn’t an accident: Seaside was the first town in the United States to be designed according to the principles of New Urbanism. Conceived as an antidote to suburban sprawl, New Urbanism holds that communities thrive on walkability. Developments in the New Urbanist mode are engineered around shared amenities, landscaped public spaces, and a lively mix of different kinds of buildings. The initial idea for Seaside took root in 1946, when the grandfather of Seaside founder Robert Davis bought the land on which the town would eventually be developed. Working with architectural partners Andres Duany and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, Robert Davis and his wife Daryl designed the master urban plan for the community around a town center. Each house in Seaside must be different from the others, thus the town has an unusually rich and diverse architectural character.

This luxury residence showcases panoramic views over the town of Seaside and over a stretch of the Gulf of Mexico with brilliant white-sand beaches.

Known for its sandy white beaches, Seaside is nestled along a 21,000-acre state park, which means that development will always be kept to a civilized minimum, and the region will retain its low-key elegance. The Davis’ were only the second family to live in the Rossi house. “It is a privilege to live there, to toast the sunset from the spectacular roof deck that makes you feel as if you are the captain of a very large yacht floating serenely over the Gulf of Mexico,” Davis has said. “Every room in the house is beautifully proportioned; just sitting in the living room gives you a sense of calm and well-being.”

An enormous roof terrace offers a panoramic view over the town of Seaside and over a stretch of the Gulf of Mexico with brilliant white-sand beaches.

The 3,043-square-foot Rossi House is a prime example of a modern, New Urbanist oasis: while its spacious, light-filled interior and lush tropical plantings give it a feeling of peaceful seclusion, it’s located just a five-minute walk from Seaside’s lively downtown. On approach, the exterior is charming, grand, and typically Postmodern: two classical columns frame the entryway, and a small, circular portal window sits just above it. A white picket fence lends the home’s exterior a bit of old-fashioned Americana, while mature palm trees line the walkway, offering shade and a touch of greenery. The home overlooks the Gulf of Mexico and, thanks to the relatively low rooflines of Seaside, features a second story with spectacular, unobstructed views. Its rooftop also boasts a 16- by 60-foot deck that’s ideal for dining al fresco against the vivid backdrop of a gulf sunset. With nearly 2,700 square feet of well-appointed outdoor space, the Rossi House makes perfect use of its idyllic climate and natural setting.

The Rossi House is a 3,043-square-foot residence with exquisite living spaces.

The interior of the Rossi House is evocative of classic beach cottage architecture, with a hint of modern minimalism. Rich hardwood floors contrast with bright white walls and large windows. Outside, a courtyard with its own kitchen and outdoor shower expands the home’s living space into the fresh air, and inside, a home theater offers professional-quality sound and video for movie nights.

Each room of the Rossi House has speakers connected to a Bang & Olufsen music server. The elegant, wood-paneled kitchen is equipped with state-of-the-art Miele and Gaggenau appliances, and a breakfast bar with built-in stools. The master suite has floor-to-ceiling windows that look out over the ocean. Inside the spacious, marble master bathroom, a steam shower and Toto fixtures offer a spa-like environment.

The home includes 2,693 square feet of outdoor spaces featuring porches, terraces, and a roof deck.

The Rossi House showcases light-filled interiors and elegant finishes.

The Rossi House boasts expansive bedrooms that showcase astonishing ocean views.

Every detail of the Rossi House, like Seaside itself, has been carefully considered and masterfully crafted. The home comes with a small library of books about Aldo Rossi and Seaside’s own history—each on a fascinating topic. But as with most of life’s great pleasures, there’s no substitute for being there.