SINGULAR SENSATION
BOASTING SUPERIOR TROPICAL MODERN ARCHITECTURE, A BOCA RATON RESIDENCE TAKES SHAPE AROUND ITS OWNERS’ CONTEMPORARY ART COLLECTION

INTERIOR DESIGN DEBORAH WECSELMAN, WECSELMAN DESIGN| ARCHITECTURE RALPH CHOEFF, CHOEFF LEVY FISCHMAN ARCHITECTURE + DESIGN
BUILDER VJD CONSTRUCTION | LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE KWD LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE | TEXT JEANNE DE LATHOUDER
PHOTOGRAPHY DOUGLAS FRIEDMAN

When a couple from New York decided they were done with the Northeast, they figured South Florida would be the ideal setting for the next chapter of their lives. They’d lived in the area years before, after all, and their grown children now resided in the region. As they narrowed down locations, Boca Raton eventually won out, and they purchased two lots in Princeton Estates, a subdivision of the Woodfield Country Club—an enclave known for its 27 lakes and winding golf courses.

Desiring a fluid, easy-to-navigate floor plan, the owners sought a single-story structure that would function as a serene private retreat, a welcoming gathering space, and a showplace for their spectacular art collection. To bring that vision to life, they tapped two design pros who had come through for them before: architect Ralph Choeff and interior designer Deborah Wecselman.

“Our goal was to design the residence with all entertainment areas and the primary suite enabling full views of the rear yard, pond, and golf course,” says Choeff. “We met that challenge by creating a seamless flow that allows smooth transitions between rooms. All spaces in the home speak to each other, thus creating continuity and an effortless way of living.”

Thoughtfully designed on one level, the expansive layout spans 12,800 square feet amid impeccable landscaping and awe-inspiring views, offering a blissful setting for refined indoor-outdoor living. Purposeful schematics highlight three distinctive pavilions surrounding a central pool and are punctuated with artworks strategically positioned for viewing from both inside and out.

“Because we had worked with Choeff Levy Fischman and the clients on their previous residence, there was a strong foundation of trust and understanding,” says Wecselman. “This gave us the freedom to push the creative envelope with a modern architectural framework, allowing us to introduce bold design elements and sculptural moments that otherwise would not have been possible in a more traditional space.”

The entrance façade, composed of pod-like spaces protruding from the walls, captivates with a moody reflecting pool from which Jun Kaneko’s ceramic head sculptures seem to emerge. Once inside, a series of vast glass sliders blur the perception of indoors and out—and when open, the spaces become one. Serving as the architectural heart of the home, a 130-foot central skylight draws natural light deep into the interiors and visually links the main circulation path. “This is the spine of the design,” notes Choeff, “and I call the area it sits over the gallery. It’s a wide hallway separating certain functions of the home that creates quite a unique experience when traversing the residence.”

Said commanding skylight inspired a series of focal moments, including a fireplace wall, bar, and kitchen, each designed with refined materials and layered textures.

“Our clients emphasized a desire for clean, low-maintenance flooring, so we selected a seamless surface and enhanced the corridor with inlaid metal strips for visual interest,” says Wecselman. “The juxtaposition of this simplicity with rich materials creates moments of surprise and intrigue throughout the space.”

Sculptural, bold, and contemporary, the furnishings were curated with a focus on form and silhouette. From the living room’s rounded custom sofas to the dual dining tables that join into one, every piece is designed with purpose. Standout features include a neon chandelier that functions just as beautifully whether the dining tables are separated or unified, and a custom ombré glass screen explicitly engineered to delineate the kitchen and dining area. Each room flows flawlessly into the next, united by thoughtful detailing and a design philosophy that blends modern clarity with sculptural elegance.

“We were all on the same page from Day One,” says Choeff, “and the result was a total success.” Adds Wecselman: “Collaborating with the clients and design team on such a deeply personal home was a joyful experience. Seeing them live in and love the spaces we created together is the most rewarding memory.”