'Crazy house of rectangles': Unique oceanfront home an architectural icon

Beach-walkers strolling the sandy stretches of Ponte Vedra Beach can't help but take an extra glance at the residence perched high on the dunes above the Atlantic. Old fishermen's nautical charts refer to it as the "crazy house of rectangles." But, students and aficionados of modern architecture come from across the country to view this unique example of the designs of renowned architect Paul Rudolph.

The home began in 1959 with a request by local attorney and arts patron Arthur Milam that Rudolph, then dean of the Yale University School of Architecture, create a one-of-a-kind oceanfront home for him.

With Milam's love of contemporary art, Rudolph was the obvious choice. Widely known as a leader of the Sarasota Style, his design projects emphasized architecture in harmony with its surroundings. Elements of the Sarasota Style included clean lines and open floor plans, an abundance of natural light and flat roofs with wide overhangs to shade the expanses of glass. All were beautifully incorporated into the Milam residence.

"This house is 'art with a purpose' - the light on the house at different times of day changes its look," said Clare Berry, Realtor and owner of Berry &Co. Real Estate, the listing agent for the home. "The cantilever shape of the windows and the brise-soleil [geometric concrete sun breaker] protect the glass from the sun. And Rudolph designed all the seven different levels of the home to reflect different uses and different moods."

In 1969, Milam married Teresa de Balmaseda, a native of Spain, and brought his beautiful new bride to his contemporary house, where she put her own stamp on their residence.

"Mom added her Spanish flair to Arthur's simplicity," said Robert Champion, Teresa Milam's son. "Before Mom, the house looked like a museum - all clean lines and no frills. Mom added warmth. She and Arthur were two individual personalities, but they combined their own styles for this house."

The effects of that merging of styles are seen throughout the residence and are surprisingly harmonious. The home's straight lines are softened and warmed by comfortable seating and Spanish-style wooden furniture, as well as both contemporary and more traditional artwork found all through the house.

The main gathering area is a prime example of the blending of styles. Just inside the entrance to the room, the dining area is filled with a dark wood Spanish-style dining table that seats 10. Two steps down is the living and entertaining space, with Rudolph's original seats along the steps.

One end of the room that Rudolph nicknamed "the cave" is away from the windows, while the main space is fronted by floor-to-ceiling windows with spectacular views of the ocean. He called this part of the room "the fishbowl." Then a few steps up from there is a small, cozy area known as the "inglenook," which combines comfortable built-in seating on three sides and a fireplace on the fourth.

"This is where the family used to gather before meals when we were kids," Champion said. "Originally, this area was all straight, hard lines, but the family redid it to make it more comfortable. With the TV and the fireplace, it was a great place for the family to get together."

Down a few steps from the "fishbowl" is another gathering room with a bar, an additional fireplace and a different - but every bit as magnificent - view of the ocean.

The second floor is dedicated to bedrooms and a long gallery, ideal for the display of artwork and other treasures, that overlooks the living space. The master suite has another incredible floor-to-ceiling view of the ocean, as well as two master baths and a closet the size of most bedrooms.

The home's guests also rate a gorgeous view from a second bed-and-bath suite with another floor-to-ceiling oceanfront window. Two more bedrooms and another full bath finish the second floor.

The original structure did not have enough space for the Milams' growing family and, in the early 1970s, Rudolph designed two additions, one on either side of the main house. One was a two-story guesthouse or studio and the other a three-car garage.

The original garages were converted to a sitting room and a cozy office/library. An oversized pool and courtyard also were added, and the kitchen redesigned at the same time. It's important to note that none of the additions or repurposing of rooms detracts from the overall design - they actually enhance it, while making the house even more livable.

Throughout their years in the house, the Milams were great supporters of the Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville, formerly known as the Jacksonville Art Museum. Arthur Milam, who died last year, was mainly responsible for the museum's expansion and move to downtown Jacksonville in 1999. John Delaney, Jacksonville's mayor at the time, called Milam "a joy to work with … so kind, so diplomatic, so intellectually curious. He had a great, great mind, a raging intellect."

His widow continues to live in the house that her husband imagined and brought to reality.

Barbara Gavan: (904) 359-4536