Alma Residence by Brillhart Architecture – Tropical Courtyard Living in the Bahamas

The Alma Residence, designed by Brillhart Architecture in collaboration with Bahamian architect of record Garth Sawyer and project architect Darren Sawyer, is a 6,700-square-foot tropical residence overlooking Pink Sands Beach on Harbour Island, Bahamas. Completed in 2021, the home embraces the island’s lush ecology and oceanfront landscape, merging contemporary design with traditional Bahamian influences.

Site and Location

• Location: Harbour Island, Bahamas
• Setting: Narrow deep lot with more than 70 mature palm trees
• Topography: Naturally sloping site leading towards the water
• Landscape Goal: Preserve vegetation while maximizing beach and ocean views

The site’s natural dune system inspired the arrangement of the residence into a courtyard complex that follows the natural slope, enhancing both arrival sequence and connection to the landscape.

Courtyard Layout and Spatial Strategy

Brillhart Architecture designed Alma Residence as a small acropolis, spreading six buildings across the elevated dune.

• The primary suite and outdoor living pavilion occupy the highest point with panoramic views.
• A two-bedroom guest cottage is located on the lower section of the site, immersed in tropical vegetation for privacy.
• Circulation paths are externalized, requiring movement through gardens and courtyards between spaces, reinforcing a connection to nature.

Indoor-Outdoor Living Concept

The design’s central theme is the inseparable experience of living both indoors and outdoors.

• Walkways and bridges link living areas while remaining exposed to breezes and gardens.
• A panoramic oceanfront room features 16 operable shutters that regulate airflow, capture easterly breezes, and provide shade.
• A sheltered outdoor kitchen and dining space ensures usability during windy or unpredictable weather.

Architectural Features

Vaulted Volumes

• Buildings are one room deep for maximum cross-ventilation.
• Vaulted ceilings range from 15–26 feet, creating airy, dramatic spaces.
• Sliding doors and operable windows allow for abundant natural light and framed views of the beach and jungle.

Vernacular References

The residence draws inspiration from historic Harbour Island cottages, blending tradition with tropical modernism:

• Gabled roofs clad in western red cedar shingles recall vernacular architecture.
• Exposed rafters and purlins reinterpret local construction techniques in a refined, contemporary expression.

Tropical Modernism and Sustainability

Alma Residence embodies the principles of tropical modernism while respecting its context:

• Climate-responsive design for natural cooling and ventilation
• Integration with existing vegetation and topography
• Flexible outdoor spaces adapting to changing weather conditions
• Material choices that reference local architectural heritage

All Photographs are works of Stephan Goettlicher, Brillhart Architecture