In 1975, inspired by ancient American Indian mounds and prehistoric earthworks, the renowned modernist architect William Morgan carved the Dune House into the sand outside Jacksonville, Florida. Now it’s for sale for $1.85 million.
Two Florida realtors, Tansy Moon and Martie Lieberman, are working hard to find a buyer who will keep this unique oceanfront property intact.
Tucked inside are two 1BR, 1 bath units (share it with a friend?), with ‘conversation pits’ and other original built-ins. The architect used the house as rental property. He liked to water the Dune House’s grass roof each evening to relax, his wife Bunny said. The houses on either side are also distinguished William Morgan designs.
(Click on any of the images below to enlarge them.)
At William Morgan’s own site, you can see the architect’s entire body of work — all futuristic but probably none so much as the Dune House.
There’s a tour of Morgan’s extraordinary work in the Jacksonville and Gainesville areas coming up March 7, sponsored by the Jacksonville AIA and Florida’s Docomomo.
4 comments
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January 17, 2009 at 4:29 pm
Astor C.
Awesome! Very Bruce Goff on the sand.
January 18, 2009 at 12:39 am
Melissa
This is a really cool house. I wonder if it has any sustainable/off-the grid elements?
January 18, 2009 at 6:00 am
cara
I should think by virtue of the way it’s built into the ground it would be easy to cool and heat. Thanks for your comment, Melissa.
January 18, 2009 at 7:38 pm
Martie
Anything as naturally oriented as the Dune House is bound to be sustainable. According to “The Master Architect Series: William Morgan” by Robert McCarter, the Dune House’s two units are placed fully into the earth and covered with native landscaping, providing a 70-degree interior temperature.