Site Logo

Life of an Architect

  • Podcast
  • about me
  • Questions / Contact
  • F. A. Q.
  • Do you want to be an Architect?
  • Architecture Books+
You are here: Home / Architects / Mockbee Coker Architects – Seaside House

Mockbee Coker Architects – Seaside House

July 26, 2011 by Bob Borson 20 Comments

Designed in 1991 by Samuel Mockbee and Coleman Coker from Mockbee/Coker Architects, this 1,100 square foot bungalow was originally called the Kennedy House but is now called “Birdie’s”. I am a little embarrassed to admit that I have noticed this house on previous trips to Seaside but had never bothered to take photos or look up the architects (that’s one side effect to having a blog – your thoughts are forced into action). So this year I made a little extra time for myself to take some good (as good as I am capable of producing) photographs along with a little research so I could talk about some of these buildings.

.

Mockbee Cocker Seaside House Street Elevation

.

The original clients had requested a “weekend fishing shack” except the town of Seaside has a fairly stringent set of design ordinances that govern, among other things, exterior materials. The June 2004 issue of Architectural Record, in an essay by Andrea Oppenheimer Dean, Samuel Mockbee had described his architecture as contemporary Modernism grounded in Southern culture and drew inspiration from such vernacular sources as overhanging galvanized roofs, rusting metal trailers, dogtrot forms, and porches. “I’m drawn to anything that has a quirkiness to it, a mystery to it,” Mockbee said. His designs tended toward asymmetry and idiosyncrasy…” (source)

If you are familiar with the work Samuel Mockbee developed with the Rural Studio program at Auburn, you can see the early application of his design philosophy here (because this house predates the creation of the Rural Studio in 1993 by two years). I feEl like I am giving the short shrift to Coleman Coker since his name is on this project too – they were in practice together from 1983 till 2000.

.

Mockbee Cocker Birdies Seaside House

.

Here I am once again stalking the perimeter and lurking in windows … I suppose it’s an occupational hazard. Despite the obvious invasion of privacy involved with taking pictures and publishing them on the internet for 12.7 billion readers, I make it a rule not walk onto the property and if I see someone, I’ll introduce myself, tell them who I am, what I am doing, and ask for their permission. Luckily, nobody has ever told me no … I suppose I have an honest face (or a pathetic one). This site is more accessible than most since the house is located on the corner – but it was still difficult to get a clear view through all the vegetation surrounding the building.

.

Mockbee Cocker Seaside Screen Porch Detail

.

This is the screened porch that runs along most of the house that faces the public right of way. Screened porches are by no means uncommon at Seaside but this is the only one I’ve seen that had this much fun with the framing. One thing that this pattern does is that it forces you to reinterpret the way the space is enclosed and as a result, the space itself. Many screened in porches are throw-away spaces from how the people outside looking in see them. By creating a random and asymmetrical pattern, the screen wall becomes a feature element, adding substantial visual interest to the street elevation.

.

Mockbee Cocker Seaside House Hidden Elevation.

Mockbee Cocker Seaside House Roof Detail

.

The picture above shows a detail that over the next few years appears regularly in Mockbee’s work – the peeling back of the roof to expose the structure beneath. While the gesture may seem minor, it changes the scale and texture of the elements – breaking down the mass of the screened porch and presenting it as an assembly of componants.

.

Mockbee Cocker Seaside Screen Porch Detail 2

.

Mockbee Cocker Seaside House Outdoor Shower

.

Since outdoor showers are present at almost all Seaside houses, I had to include a shot of the shower above. Simple, practical and effective – three desirable descriptors for any contemporary modernist.

.

Mockbee Cocker Seaside House Rear Elevation

.

This is the rear end of the house and the area that was modified from the original design. The square windows above were not part of the original design and the sleeping porch on the second floor level was in this location. If you care to look at the second floor plan drawing below at #10, you can see the location of the sleeping porch. Looking further down, you can also see the original elevation at this end by looking at the North Elevation drawing.

.

Mockbee Cocker Seaside Rear Screen Porch

.

Mockbee Cocker Seaside Rear Screen Porch Detail

.

I discovered that this house was reviewed in a book I have in my architectural library – ‘The New American Cottage‘ which is where the following drawings were collected. I have provided a link towards the bottom for the book if you’re interested in having your own copy. In the 20 years since this house was originally built, little has changed. At some point, the screened sleeping porch (#10 in the plan below) was enclosed but other than that … even the paint is the same color as it was originally.

.

Mockebee Coker Kennedy House plan drawings

.

Mockebee Coker Kennedy House Elevation drawings

.

Mockebee Coker Kennedy House Building Section

.

.

The New American Cottage

“The New American Cottage”

written by James Trulove and Il Kim

.

.

Mockbee Cocker Seaside House Street Elevation 2

.

This is another great little project I found in Seaside – one of my favorites to accompany the Seaside Chapel by Merrill and Pastor Architects. If you find yourself in the Florida panhandle – and even if you don’t – Seaside if a destination worth visiting.

.

.

.

even better stuff from Life of an Architect

The BSB Cabin - A Trip to the Frozen North
Architecture Lectures and Presentations
007: A Survivor's Guide to Architecture School
European Design for the Modern Kitchen
Cabin in the Woods
Cottonwood Modern - Steel Trellis
Style - Do I have any?
Residential Architecture 101 - Specifications
The Seaside Chapel
The Architecture of Seaside Florida

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)

Filed Under: Architects, Buildings Tagged With: Architects, Modern Architecture, photography, plans, Residential Architect, Rural Studio, Seaside, Travel

Search Life of an Architect

Trending on Life of an Architect

Architectural Graphics 101 - Symbols
Architectural Graphics 101: Finish Schedules
Architectural Graphics 101 - Wall Types
Architectural Graphics 101 - Window Schedules
Ep 117: Graphic Matters
Architectural Graphics 101: Cover Sheet
Architectural Graphics 101 - Title Blocks
Graphic Standards for Architectural Cabinetry
Architectural Graphics 101 - Reflected Ceiling Plans
Architecture: Form, Function, and Object

Subscribe to Podcast

Apple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsSpotifyAndroidiHeartRadioby EmailTuneInRSS

Subscribe to our mailing list

* indicates required

Apparel for Architects

T-Shirts for Architects - Bob Borson

Support for Advice or Guidance

Thanks!
Other Amount:
Project Reference or Support for Questions Answered:

My “Serious” Disclaimer

The complimentary advice provided on ‘Life of an Architect’ is based on an abbreviated examination of the minimal facts given, not the typical extensive (and sometimes exhaustive) analysis I conduct when working with my clients. Therefore, anything you read on this site is not a substitute for actually working with me. Following my casual advice is at your own peril … if you want my undivided attention, I would recommend hiring me. Cheers.

Pages

  • Comment Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Architecture Books+
  • about me
  • Questions?
  • F. A. Q.
  • Do you want to be an Architect?
  • Podcast

Life of an Architect | Bob Borson

  • View lifeofanarchitect’s profile on Facebook
  • View bobborson’s profile on Twitter
  • View bobborson’s profile on Instagram
  • View bborson’s profile on LinkedIn

Archives of Awesomeness

Copyright © 2023 Life of an Architect

 

Loading Comments...