A T-plan International Style house that is radically different from the curvilinear designs for which the architect is best-known. The Boyds bought it in 2003 on the eve of its destruction from a developer who wanted to replace it with a faux Tuscan mega-mansion. It took nearly three years to restore the fabric of the house and surround it with tropical landscaping inspired by the gardens of Roberto Burle-Marx, a close associate of Niemeyer. Vertical aluminum louvres, admired by Niemeyer himself, were added to the street façade for shade and privacy, and exterior red bricks were painted white for a more international feel. The garage and upstairs apartments were remodeled to serve as a double-height library and showcase for the owners’ collection. Within, linoleum and wall-to-wall carpet was replaced by palm-wood flooring, but every effort was made to conserve the original kitchen and bathrooms. The interiors were furnished with an eclectic mix of classic modern furniture, African tribal art, and Boyd’s abstract canvases. Niemeyer, upon seeing the photographs of the results of the Strick House restoration, said “it’s nice to finally meet this house. I like the way you have restored it to its 1960s elegance.”
