Before & After: A Modest Midcentury in Miami Expands Around a Lush Courtyard

In Miami’s desirable Coconut Grove neighborhood, a small residence designed by architect Trip Russell in 1948 would have been slated for demolition if not for its seat on a double lot, which allowed Brillhart Architecture to intervene with an elegant, 3,000-square-foot addition. At 1,260-square-feet, the original one-bedroom had a low-lying roofline, concrete block construction, and exposed wood rafters—all hallmarks of its era. Protecting its midcentury spirit, preserving the existing trees, and adding two contemporary wings, Brillhart Architecture has created a refined home that embraces its tropical setting.