On the Waterfront

People love to live by the sea—and the lake, the canal, or the bay. For those lucky enough to build a house on one of them, recreational water activities are a prime design consideration. Mitchell Kunik, president of Affiniti Architects in Boca Raton, Fla., has been designing waterside facilities for his custom home clients for 22 years and has accumulated a wealth of knowledge about how to make those facilities functional, beautiful, and long lasting. At the outset, he advises, “decide what the water activities will likely be so that they can be designed into the home’s plans. For instance, determine if the owners want heavy boat usage, light boat usage, jet skis for the kids, sailing, an entertainment area, or a dock for fishing. It’s smart to be flexible, as the activities may change over time.”

Many waterfront homes will need a concrete seawall as well as a boat dock. Kunik advises that these areas be designed to be compatible with the materials and style of the patio and pool areas. The style of the home, as well, should be reflected in the decorative lighting, railings, and piling covers of the waterside amenities.

With a front-row seat on South Florida’s Intracoastal Waterway, this Boca Raton custom home designed by Affiniti Architects provides its owners with ample boat access and a view of their yacht, when it’s in port, from the main living areas of the house. Storage, a shady area, and guest facilities are just steps from the seawall. Photo: Peter Brantley Courtesy of Affiniti Architects Views from the house to the dock are also important considerations. “For instance, if the activities will be light boat usage and jet skis, this area should be designed out of the main view from the back of the home,” Kunik advises. “But if a large boat or yacht needs to be accommodated, it should be the focal point of the main view and lighted as the feature. If entertainment is the main consideration, that area, too, should be a focal point,” he adds.

Boats of all types require an area for staging gear and supplies, and the larger the boat the greater the need. Access for crew and maintenance also must be accommodated, and a seating area is a real convenience. If the property and the yacht are large, the owners may want to consider a guesthouse for the crew and boat guests.

For any water sport areas, there should be a defined, designated walkway leading from the boat or water to a secondary entrance to the house that is convenient to a bathroom and the laundry. That will prevent people from traipsing through the house with wet towels and sandy feet.

Once their boats are tied up to the quay, yachting guests appreciate a nearby place to escape the sun. Protected by a soaring canopy, the shaded terrace of this Boca Raton home serves the swimming pool and is linked to the boat mooring by a short pathway. A pool house, just steps away, is convenient to both pool and portage. Photo: Peter Brantley Courtesy of Affiniti Architects The best place for boat gear storage is off this walkway. Avoid locating storage near a seawall, as this is generally the lowest point of the property and would likely experience water accumulation. “If possible, on a sloped property place storage below the pool level, because it will be out of sight and thus enhance the view from the house,” Kunik suggests. But whether it’s a storage room built onto the house, a separate shed below the pool, or a simple dock box, the storage should be air conditioned or well ventilated to avoid mold and mildew growth.

Boat docks take a beating from the elements and should be made of materials that will stand up to scorching sun, salt water, and humidity. Docks can be made of concrete, plastic composite, and wood. Plastic composite dock systems are popular, but they are generally built with v wood underpinnings that will N rot and need replacing, Kunik says. Poured-in-place concrete docks are expensive but long lasting and allow the designer to carry the paving materials of the deck down to the dock, for visual unity. Another choice Kunik likes is pressure-treated wood, finished to avoid splinters, or a hardwood, like ipe. Both will last many years. And stainless steel nails and screws used throughout will extend the life of the dock. “Initially, these materials are expensive,” Kunik says, “but in the long run they will justify their cost by needing less frequent replacement.”

Choosing the right materials is also important for dockside water and electrical needs. Kunik recommends plastic, stainless steel, and copper for outdoor showers, fish-cleaning stations, and outdoor summer kitchens. Electrical outlets should be enclosed in a marine-grade aluminum pedestal box. Plan for a minimum 30-amp marine receptacle and a separate 110-volt, 30-amp waterproof receptacle. In addition, he suggests providing telephone and cable TV hookups and water to the dockside area. For large boats, a sewer hookup for pump-out may be necessary as well.

Views to waterside amenities are as important to the interior spaces of this Boca Raton custom home as they are to the exterior spaces. Affiniti Architects oriented the view from the home’s main entertaining area to encompass the infinity-edge pool and the Intracoastal Waterway beyond. Photo: Peter Brantley Courtesy of Affiniti Architects Finally, a well-designed waterside facility should include a shaded structure near the dock, such as a gazebo, pool house, or covered entertainment area. “Consider wind and water resilience for seating and tables,” Kunik advises.

In South Florida and the Caribbean, where most of the homes Kunik designs are located, designing for water activities is not an afterthought. These facilities are considered as important as the interior spaces, and Kunik believes that with careful planning they can enhance the beauty of the home and the homeowners’ enjoyment of it.—Elaine Meier is a Florida-based freelance writer.