Two prominent Tampa attorneys in the Tampa Bay area, desired a very traditional home with double winding staircase in the front foyer in which to raise their family & entertain friends and clientele. The home, located in the prestigious Avila neighborhood of Tampa, takes its inspiration from the deep south. The project was constructed within budget and with few changes from the original Bert Thomas Architect design.

An auto aficionado, much like the architect himself, desired a low-maintenance and energy-efficient residence in San Antonio, Florida, for he and his wife. Bert Thomas created a “Florida-friendly” home on a single level with a simple roof line to keep construction costs lower.

The architect was happy to work on the client’s dream garage located at the rear of the same San Antonio homesite acreage, an eight vehicle facility complete with an oil-changing pit, and two air-conditioned bays.

Bert Thomas came to know Charlton & Alston Griffin through one Mr Jim Anderson, Bert Thomas’s mentor in the construction industry in the early 1980’s. Mr. Jim Anderson is truly an American hero, a stalwart of his community there in Thomasville, and a gentleman of the highest order. I will always be indebted to him for what he taught me, and the kindness shown to me as a young man.

The Griffin's had been to Italy and returned with a desire to re-create a residence rich with many of the details they had observed while traveling. They were especially inspired by Andrea Palladio's 16th century Renaissance Villa Pojana. This narrow homesite, steep & wooded, enabled the architect to place a two car garage directly underneath the front living areas of the residence, which maintained the traditional “villa” look desired by the clients, an author and an artist. Much of the home was dedicated to the display of art and artifacts, with a narrow lap pool providing both exercise and the “reflecting pool” within a formal garden setting common to Italian loggias.

Located close to the Gulf of Mexico near Tarpon Springs, this home was a work/live design that was elevated due to flood zones common in coastal areas. The client, an importer of marble, wanted to work from home, novel in the early 1980’s, and also provide a comfortable setting for his family. With the garage and utility areas located on the ground floor, all the living and bedroom spaces were above. The office/work area rested on a level midway between the ground level and the private family areas, allowing for the occasional business visitor, and some privacy.

The design reflects a fun Florida style with materials that are low-maintenance and able to age gracefully, reminiscent of Key West.

Another example of a raised residence, this 8,000 SF traditionally-styled home for a cardiac surgeon conceals a large ground level garage complete with generator and elevator up to the living levels. Located on Bellair Island in the Gulf intracoastal waterway near Clearwater, Florida, the home was designed to allow for seasonal flood contingencies and the resist hurricane strength winds.

Two prominent Tampa attorneys in the Tampa Bay area, desired a very traditional home with double winding staircase in the front foyer in which to raise their family & entertain friends and clientele. The home, located in the prestigious Avila neighborhood of Tampa, takes its inspiration from the deep south. The project was constructed within budget and with few changes from the original Bert Thomas Architect design.

An auto aficionado, much like the architect himself, desired a low-maintenance and energy-efficient residence in San Antonio, Florida, for he and his wife. Bert Thomas created a “Florida-friendly” home on a single level with a simple roof line to keep construction costs lower.

The architect was happy to work on the client’s dream garage located at the rear of the same San Antonio homesite acreage, an eight vehicle facility complete with an oil-changing pit, and two air-conditioned bays.

Bert Thomas came to know Charlton & Alston Griffin through one Mr Jim Anderson, Bert Thomas’s mentor in the construction industry in the early 1980’s. Mr. Jim Anderson is truly an American hero, a stalwart of his community there in Thomasville, and a gentleman of the highest order. I will always be indebted to him for what he taught me, and the kindness shown to me as a young man.

The Griffin's had been to Italy and returned with a desire to re-create a residence rich with many of the details they had observed while traveling. They were especially inspired by Andrea Palladio's 16th century Renaissance Villa Pojana. This narrow homesite, steep & wooded, enabled the architect to place a two car garage directly underneath the front living areas of the residence, which maintained the traditional “villa” look desired by the clients, an author and an artist. Much of the home was dedicated to the display of art and artifacts, with a narrow lap pool providing both exercise and the “reflecting pool” within a formal garden setting common to Italian loggias.

Located close to the Gulf of Mexico near Tarpon Springs, this home was a work/live design that was elevated due to flood zones common in coastal areas. The client, an importer of marble, wanted to work from home, novel in the early 1980’s, and also provide a comfortable setting for his family. With the garage and utility areas located on the ground floor, all the living and bedroom spaces were above. The office/work area rested on a level midway between the ground level and the private family areas, allowing for the occasional business visitor, and some privacy.

The design reflects a fun Florida style with materials that are low-maintenance and able to age gracefully, reminiscent of Key West.

Another example of a raised residence, this 8,000 SF traditionally-styled home for a cardiac surgeon conceals a large ground level garage complete with generator and elevator up to the living levels. Located on Bellair Island in the Gulf intracoastal waterway near Clearwater, Florida, the home was designed to allow for seasonal flood contingencies and the resist hurricane strength winds.