Zigzag House
The Zigzag House (1959) is a residential house in Sarasota, Florida. It was designed by architect Tollyn Twitchell in the style of the Sarasota School of Architecture: the style is also referred to as a mid-century modern. The home has been named for its zigzag roofline which resembles saw teeth. Style. The Zigzag House is seen as an "emblem of the Sarasota School of Architecture." The building was designed by Tollyn Twitchell whose father Ralph Twitchell, is thought of as the founder of the Sarasota School of Architecture. The building is classified as mid-century modern architecture  and it is designed in the style of the Sarasota School. The home has square open spaces inside with large roof overhangs which shade visitors from the Florida sun. It features large windows. Design. In 1959 Twitchell designed the home with a unique roofline. The home has been nicknamed the “Zigzag House” based on its unique sawtooth roofline and it is located in Sarasota Florida. The house was designed for a philanthropist named Rita Adler. Sydney and Rita Adler were supporters of the circus arts. There are two separate areas within the house. The master bedroom with a separate dressing  room and a bathtub. Two bedrooms with individual bathrooms are located in the other section of the home. There is also a study connected to the main living room of the home. The home features a library and a media room. The kitchen follows the open-concept floor plan. The home also has a veranda which abuts a saltwater swimming pool and a zen garden. The sawtooth roof structure is made with a honeycomb material which comes from a mid-century design. Following the design elements of the Sarasota School of Architecture, the home attempts to seamlessly combine indoor and  outdoor spaces. The home has built-in furniture, and curved cabinetry. Renovations. The building underwent major renovations to restore its originality. The owners of the building are Roberto and Clare Arguedas and they purchased it in 2014. The couple undertook the major renovations to the property. Several 21st century upgrades were also part of the renovation: including the electrical system, new windows, and interior room expansions. In 2021 the home was put up for sale with an asking price of $3 million. The real estate agent selling the property said a buyer would, "...appreciate its historical significance, contemporary appointments ...". Awards. The home was renovated by Seibert Architects after many years of neglect. It took three years (2017-2019) to renovate, and when completed it won a, 2020 AIA Florida/Caribbean Award of Excellence. Also in 2020, the home received two national architectural awards: one from the American Institute of Architects and another from the Society of American Registered Architects.