Inside STRANG’s Modern Tropical Home: Elbow Cay in the Bahamas

STRANG—a Miami-based firm known for advancing the principles of environmental modernism—welcomed the chance to design a Bahamian retreat on raw, unfiltered Elbow Cay, a small island in the Abacos chain. “Elbow Cay is three miles long and very narrow,” describes firm principal Max Strang. “The property is unique in that you have the Atlantic to the east and the Sea of Abaco to the west. There’s a sunrise on one side and sunset on the other.” An avid crystal and energy aficionado and leader from Upstate New York, Strang’s client knew the island from a previous visit. “Long before I thought of buying a home here, I went to stay with a dear friend and her parents. Fast forward 10 years and I’m their neighbor,” she relays.

“The cutest little town mixed with the secluded beaches of the North End made it a perfect fit for a family home. I love the beautiful blue of the water; it’s just mesmerizing,” she adds. For the three-and-a-half acres of virgin, wind-lashed land, Strang drew a linear twostory home marked by broad overhangs and covered terraces. It’s a modern home geared for a tropical outdoor lifestyle. It also reflects the owner’s desire for a home that integrates into its setting quietly, coexisting instead of commanding. “I wanted it to blend into the natural line of the island,” she recalls. “I wanted it to not stick out from the water but rather make you look closer to see what it is.”

The 5,400-square-foot main home sits high on a large sand dune. Since it wasn’t possible to source a boring rig large enough to reach bedrock, the house is anchored by deep piles and a mat foundation for support. Considering the prevailing winds, which are often 30-40 mph at the top of the ridge, Strang had to specify special lighting and forgo retractable shades. The client requested low-maintenance materials that would hold up to not just the elements but also her three children and visiting friends and family. She worked closely with Alexandra Mangimelli, AIA, a managing partner at STRANG, on the finishes and furnishings.

“The goal was to embrace that island vibe,” says Mangimelli. “Our client is young and vibrant and was inspired by jewelry and fashion and art. We wanted that vibrancy to show in the interiors while using organic materials, like stone, concrete, and porcelain tile, to keep things down to earth.” A trademark architectural element is the louvered screens. Crafted from ipe, they are designed to gray naturally over time. Inspired by the resident palm fronds on his very first site visit, Strang designed the angled louvers to emulate the effect of sun coming through palm fronds.

“One of my favorite parts is that almost every room has light flowing in from two or three sides,” says Mangimelli. “The louvered elements provide obvious sun protection and a gorgeous cast pattern.” An accommodating breezeway prefaces the side-facing front door. “It’s my favorite living space,” reveals Strang. “It captures the southeasterly breezes and makes the house very pleasurable to be in even in the hot summers.” Light cabinets in lacquers and stainless steel are balanced by a mix of white linens, organic woods, and colorful patterns with strong textures.

This project took some time to complete— Hurricane Dorian in 2019 took its toll. In fact, the client played an instrumental role in bringing supplies to the island, left without power or support. While most of the homes (wood construction and shingled roofs) were greatly affected, this concrete home, a first of its kind, held strong and was used as a refuge for many hurricane survivors. Today, it’s still holding strong, a testament to high-level engineering, architecture, and interior design.

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