Most home renovations begin with a formal brief, a set of blueprints, and a clear set of expectations outlined by clients and architects. However, the meticulous revitalization of a 1955 Paul Rudolph original located in Delray Beach, Florida, began with something far more serendipitous: a discovery. When Nina and Michael Marco of Casa de Marco Design purchased the former Sewell C. Biggs Residence in 2018, they had no idea what awaited them in the primary suite. Tucked away quietly inside a bedroom closet, they stumbled upon a red velvet bag. Inside were historical 1950s photographs of the home alongside Rudolph’s original, hand-drawn plans. That unexpected find set the trajectory for what would become a six-year architectural labor of love.
Working closely with architect Jeffrey Silberstein of Silberstein Architecture, the Marcos embarked on a rigorous journey to revitalize the 1,600-square-foot home, faithfully reconstructing Rudolph’s iconic tropical modernist design. From start to finish, the meticulous transformation took six full years. Throughout the process, the Marcos consistently resisted the temptation to cut corners or take modern shortcuts that might have made the construction phase easier. The primary challenge of the project was never the conceptual design itself; rather, it lay in finding the delicate intersection between historic preservation and modern structural safety—specifically, reconciling a mid-century coastal structure built in 1955 with present-day hurricane and environmental codes.
For Michael Marco, staying utterly consistent with the creative direction that Paul Rudolph envisioned more than seventy years ago was an absolute imperative. From day one, their mandate was simple: honor Rudolph’s design no matter how difficult, time-consuming, or costly the endeavor might prove to be. This unwavering commitment to historical integrity required patience, specialized craftsmanship, and a deep respect for the architectural pedigree of the property.
The resulting residence successfully merges the original steel structure—which had to be rehabilitated and carefully raised to meet contemporary coastal flooding standards—with the home’s initial layout. That core layout features two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and an elevated rectilinear glass pavilion suspended gracefully on slender steel columns. Exposed structural beams throughout the property complement expansive glass openings, while traditional jalousie windows allow the warm Atlantic breeze to circulate freely through the interior spaces, maintaining the breezy, indoor-outdoor connection fundamental to tropical modernism.
Adhering strictly to the home’s historic preservation requirements, the design team incorporated a two-story glass-enclosed breezeway to serve as a vital architectural hinge. This transparent connector links the original Biggs Residence to a brand-new contemporary addition. Silberstein conceptualized the breezeway, which houses a high-end modern kitchen and a discreet powder room. The thoughtfully designed addition also encompasses two additional bedrooms complete with en-suite bathrooms, alongside a functional two-car garage.
This new addition functions as more than just a physical link; it represents the singular point where old and new architecture meet in dialogue. It also echoes Nina Marco’s core philosophy regarding the stewardship of historic properties. She believes that the past should never be roped off behind glass or treated as a static museum piece. Instead, historic architecture should be actively lived in, walked through, and built upon with the exact same level of care and artistic intent that was given to it the first time around.
One of the most dramatic transformations involved the ground level of the home. The Marcos enclosed the space directly beneath the elevated steel structure, which was originally utilized as an open-air entertainment area and carport. By enclosing this lower level with expansive sliding glass panels, they brought to life a concept that was originally sketched out in Rudolph’s own 1950s drawings. Enclosing the lower level in glass created a transparent, recessed ground floor that now serves as the home’s primary living, dining, and daily entertainment space.
Outdoors, lush tropical landscaping wraps seamlessly around the residence, while a sleek, modern terrace sets the stage for a contoured swimming pool. This outdoor integration successfully reintroduces classic mid-century design principles to contemporary coastal living. The exterior color palette was chosen specifically to allow the architecture to recede gracefully into the surrounding natural landscape. The color story introduces subtle touches of sand, sea, and sky, which are richly accented by natural wood tones woven throughout the structure. On the exterior, Extra White from Sherwin-Williams was selected to enable Rudolph’s iconic steel beams to take on strong, sculptural qualities against the greenery.
That same sense of visual restraint continues indoors, where warm neutrals and tactile textures add softness and intimacy to the open spaces. Remaining strictly consistent with Rudolph’s mid-century vision, the Marcos chose materials that were prominent and celebrated in the 1950s. Oyster-pebble terrazzo, imported directly from Italy, enhances the kitchen’s striking floating island, cleverly echoing the home’s own elevated architectural form. Throughout the interiors, carefully curated family heirlooms, vintage Lalique glassware, and historical photographs of the home are woven harmoniously into the daily living environment.
Materials like terrazzo, aluminum, and natural stone were intentionally chosen because they are substances that Rudolph himself would have reached for, knowing they age with grace and resilience in a harsh coastal climate. Every material was selected with purpose, ensuring that nothing in the house feels generic and that every element truly earns its place in the composition.
For Nina and Michael Marco, reconstructing the Biggs Residence and preserving an authentic Paul Rudolph original transcends mere architectural renovation—it stands as one of the greatest honors of their professional careers. For them, the project is ultimately about safeguarding an invaluable piece of cultural history and ensuring it can continue to be lived in, loved, and deeply appreciated for generations to come.
