Palm Beach Retreat

In Palm Beach, this 1,344-square-foot getaway for Workshop/APD founder and principal Andrew Kotchen and his family began as a total renovation challenge. Situated within a historic, s-shaped modernist building, no two walls are parallel, creating complex spatial conditions. Over 14 months, the space was gutted to bare concrete and carefully rebuilt with a focus on fluidity, softness, and connection.

The design embraces subtle curves, from walls, to custom millwork, to furniture silhouettes, to smooth edges and create effortless transitions. Rounded forms balance the building’s angular geometry, allowing the interiors to flow naturally. A muted palette of plaster, warm oak, and layered textures adds warmth and tactility.

Custom millwork on floors, doors, and paneling anchors the space while maintaining an organic rhythm. Floor-to-ceiling windows capture expansive ocean views, bathing the home in natural light. Each architectural detail was considered to support calm, comfort, and the seamless merging of indoor and outdoor living.

The home also serves as a laboratory for Workshop/APD’s furniture line, Workshop Collection, with nearly half of its pieces hailing from the firm’s offering. This allowed for an intimate exploration of materiality and form within a lived environment, balancing experimentation with practicality.

Small surprises emerged during renovation, including rediscovering a few hidden feet of space in the kitchen wall, a reminder of the unexpected potential in older buildings.

Ultimately, the home feels both soft and precise. It is a place where the boundaries between architecture, design, and nature dissolve. It stands as a personal refuge shaped by light, material, and the unique geometry of the building itself.