Nestled on the tranquil waterfront of Normandy Isles, 1920 Bay Drive is a sophisticated exploration of verticality, light, and the seamless integration of organic life. This four-story residence stands as a masterclass in Tropical Modernism, defined by a series of stacked, cantilevered volumes that extend toward the bay to ensure the horizon is a constant presence within the home. The architecture is characterized by a rhythmic dialogue between structural rigor and natural softness, where deep, shadowed overhangs protect expansive glass facades that dissolve the boundary between the interior sanctuary and the coastal environment.
Central to the project’s identity is the intentional layering of landscape within the built form. A prominent white concrete plinth on the second level serves as a verdant terrace, where cascading greenery spills over the edge to provide a living counterpoint to the home’s clean, tectonic lines. From the ground-level oasis—featuring a flush-edge pool and intimate garden—to the elevated private quarters that feel suspended between the sky and the water, the residence is a study in proportion and poise. 1920 Bay Drive embodies the SDH Studio philosophy of creating architecture that breathes, offering a refined sanctuary that honors the unique spirit of the Florida shoreline.
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Location: Normandy Isles, Florida
Status: Design Development
Site Area: 8,850 sf
Project Area: 11,028 sf
Program: Single family residence
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Nestled in the prestigious Golden Beach community, this breathtaking 3-story home places you mere steps from the shoreline. As you approach, two captivating water features set the tone for serenity, with a mesmerizing pond reflecting a magnificent floating staircase that leads to the second-floor entrance. A modern sculpture adds a touch of artistic flair to the serene environment.
The home’s rear facade boasts a striking C-shaped volume, a design centerpiece that emphasizes the panoramic ocean views. Expansive windows flood the entire residence with natural light, ensuring every floor captures the stunning seascape.
Imagine hosting unforgettable summer gatherings on the expansive covered terrace, complete with an outdoor kitchen that caters to all your culinary needs. Unwind with loved ones in the charming gazebo, its peaceful ambiance enhanced by a cascading water feature. For a refreshing escape, take a dip in the pool with a built-in spa, situated right next to the pristine beach. This haven allows you to seamlessly transition from indoor luxury to the breathtaking beauty of the ocean.
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Location: Golden Beach, Florida
Status: Under Construction
Site Area: 21,600 sf
Project Area: 12,800 sf
Program: Single family residence
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Architecture and atmosphere at Archer House, Bal Harbour. A look inside a home where white oak cabinetry, arched silhouettes, and marble accents create a timeless coastal sanctuary.
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Project Location: Bal Harbour, FL
Architecture & Interiors: @sdh_studio
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Architecture at its best is a sensory experience.
Join our Founder and Principal, Stephanie Halfen, for an intimate dawn-to-dusk journey through 255 Ocean—a beacon of Tropical Modernism in the heart of Golden Beach.
In this 60-second edit, witness how the residence reveals its soul through a rhythmic dialogue of light and shadow. From the tectonic drama of the suspended exterior bridge to the ground-level oasis where the flush-edge pool mirrors the Atlantic tide, every detail is a celebration of the coastal horizon.
255 Ocean is a masterclass in functional elegance, weaving together expansive social volumes for hosting with secluded private sanctuaries that serve as quiet galleries for the sea’s changing moods.
Experience the work, the love, and the precision behind SDH Studio’s latest beachfront masterpiece.
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Project Location: Golden Beach, FL
Architecture & Interiors: @sdh_studio
Construction: @treoconstruction
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There is something transformative about the way you enter a home. In our 9215 Miami Shores project, we utilized wide, floating steps and glass-enclosed voids to create a sense of weightlessness and transparency before you even step through the front door.
From the warm wood accents and coral stone walls to the floating concrete steps that lead you home, every detail is designed to embrace the Florida light.
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Finding the rhythm between form and light.
Founder Stephanie Halfen within the sculptural heart of 255 Ocean. This Golden Beach residence was designed as a vertical journey, where floating stone and warm wood textures create a rhythmic transition that mirrors the fluid energy of the coast.
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Architecture should do more than just occupy space; it should breathe with its environment. For this custom residence, we focused on a rhythmic interplay of verticality and light—utilizing slender louvers and expansive glass to create a home that evolves as the sun moves across the Panamanian sky.
Floating stone steps lead you through a curated landscape of Monstera and ferns, blurring the lines between the built and the natural. A warm, refined palette of travertine, textured concrete, and rich wood tones grounds the home in its lush context. Clean lines and “floating” volumes that offer a sense of sculptural lightness and deep serenity.
Every detail is a testament to our commitment to creating spaces that feel both elevated and deeply connected to their surroundings.
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Copse Corner is a conceptual and formal exploration of movement, performance, and flow-its architectural language inspired by the rhythm and precision of a car racing circuit. The design embraces fluid geometry throughout, with sweeping curves, continuous circulation paths, and sculptural massing that blurs the boundary between architecture and motion. From the bronze-framed overhangs to the curved stone-clad volumes and rooftop forms, every line is intentional, reinforcing a narrative of speed, elegance, and control.
At ground level, the circuit comes to life with a custom car turntable housed beneath a dramatic cantilever, transforming the client’s automobile into an architectural focal point. The driveway flows in a gentle arc of permeable pavers, flanked by lush tropical plantings that soften the building’s bold silhouette. The turntable is encircled by a reflecting pool that introduces a meditative counterpoint to the mechanical precision on display.
Above, the rooftop is a destination in itself-complete with a sunken lounge, sculpted planters, and a green roof that anchors the home in its landscape while enhancing performance and thermal efficiency.
Interior spaces follow the same language of curvature and openness, defined by soft transitions, custom millwork, and expansive glazing that visually connects each programmatic zone to the gardens beyond. Materiality ties the whole together: travertine, warm wood ceilings, bronze detailing, and polished concrete create a palette that is both tactile and refined. It is a home shaped by motion and mastery—an immersive, high-performance environment where architectural vision meets technical precision.
Location: Bay Harbor Islands, Florida
Site Area: 10,024 sf
Project Area: 5,194 sf
Program: Single family residence
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This stunning open-plan living space is a masterpiece of modern design, featuring expansive floor-to-ceiling windows that offer breathtaking views of the ocean. The seamless integration of the living room, dining area, and kitchen creates a dynamic and inviting atmosphere. The clean lines and luxurious finishes elevate the space, making it a truly exceptional living experience.
Location: Golden Beach, Florida
Status: Under Construction
Site Area: 18,205 sf
Project Area: 17,000 sf
Program: Single family residence
#sdh_studio #theartofluxuryliving #goldenbeach #sdh_interiordesign
From the composition of the façade to the soft interplay of interiors, every feature in Casa Levita reveals SDH Studio’s dedication to harmony, refined proportions, and timeless livability. This thoughtful approach shapes a residence that stands as both an architectural statement and a serene extension of its tropical surroundings, inviting a lifestyle defined by comfort, connection, and ease.
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Location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Status: Design Development
Site Area: 20,475 sf
Project Area: 12,292 sf
Program: Single family residence
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This stunning two-story waterfront home embodies the sophistication, elegance, and timeless appeal of modernist design. Set on an exclusive Key Biscayne waterway, the residence is a carefully curated interplay of interlocking horizontal and vertical planes, creating a dynamic architectural presence.
Location: Key Biscayne, Florida
Site Area: 13,939 sf
Project Area: 7,000 sf
Program: Single family residence
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Nature’s Embrace: Connecting Residents to the World Around Them
Stephanie Halfen, the internationally-renowned architect and interior designer behind some of South Florida’s most stylish homes, has a deep-rooted connection to the natural world. Inspired by the beauty of Mother Nature, her approach is centered on creating spaces within or surrounding family homes that engage with their environment and offer a living experience that reveals the beauty of the surrounding landscape to inhabitants.
In the Miami Edition of Florida Design magazine, Stephanie discusses how the natural world takes precedence in every design emerging from SDH Studio, blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor living and enabling nature to permeate every aspect of the home. The feature also explores how Stephanie and her team translate their passion for nature into sustainable design solutions and high performance design through the use of natural materials.
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