Residential SERIES  •  Project FEATURE

In the SM Project, Paula Ambrosio distills the essence of contemporary coastal living to its purest form — space, light, and subtle material poetry. This is not a home that shouts; it breathes. Every surface, proportion, and glow feels intentional, crafting a visual calm that mirrors the ocean beyond.

Located in the heart of Boca Raton’s Ocean Towers, the residence channels the luminosity of its seaside setting through an architecture of restraint. Ambrosio’s approach is rooted in the principles of modern minimalism — where silence becomes spatial, and texture replaces ornamentation. A palette of soft neutrals — whites, taupes, and warm greige — establishes a continuum across spaces, while high-gloss marble-like floors act as a reflective canvas, diffusing daylight into every corner. Custom millwork, fluted wall panels, and brushed metal accents weave a quiet narrative of tactility and refinement, giving the apartment its distinct rhythm and composure. Every room feels part of a larger choreography of light. The hallway, lined with glass partitions and vertical slats, sets the tone for transparency and depth. From here, sightlines extend toward the primary bedroom, where a near-ceiling upholstered headboard anchors the composition — soft, proportionate, and architecturally assured. In the ensuite bathroom, stone surfaces and concealed lighting continue the theme of disciplined serenity, transforming functionality into art.

"The Architecture as silence in a space that listens before it speaks."

Ambrosio’s vision transcends decorative minimalism — it is architectural minimalism with soul. Each gesture, from the matte taupe cabinetry in the bathroom to the fluted textures of the home office, reflects a sensitivity to balance rather than contrast. The residence unfolds like a gallery of light, where the absence of excess becomes a luxury in itself. It is this measured restraint that grants the space its enduring calm — an architectural meditation in beige and ivory tones.

In a world where coastal design often succumbs to cliché, the SM Project stands apart. It reframes the language of oceanfront luxury through discipline and material precision, emphasizing emotion over spectacle. Ambrosio’s work speaks to a new era of Florida modernism — one that values tactile intelligence and spatial clarity over ostentation.

"The calm geometry of space, distilled into pure emotion."

The living room exemplifies this refined philosophy. A sculptural television wall — composed of veneered wood, marble, and metallic panels — reads like an installation, blending art and architecture. Rounded furniture pieces introduce softness against the linear precision of cabinetry, while a plastered ceiling with subtle sheen amplifies the play of light. This orchestration of contrasts — matte against polished, curve against plane — defines the apartment’s visual equilibrium.

The home office continues the language of quiet geometry. Fluted panels and glass inserts introduce movement without noise, while a monolithic stone-textured desk and taupe leather seating evoke tactile richness. Overhead, a geometric chandelier doubles as a sculptural focal point — functional yet poetic. This is Ambrosio’s strength: transforming everyday programs into atmospheres of contemplation. In the powder room, the illuminated onyx vanity becomes the home’s most theatrical moment — a glowing monolith of light and stone. Its translucency recalls the shimmer of ocean waves at dusk, while brushed brass fixtures infuse warmth into the minimalist envelope. By contrast, the kitchen reasserts precision through its seamless cabinetry and gallery-like central island, all bathed in an even wash of light. Every inch is intentional, calibrated to achieve both serenity and sophistication.

Throughout, the SM Project reveals a quiet dialogue between discipline and sensuality. Ambrosio’s Miami-rooted aesthetic — European modernism softened by coastal ease — captures a lifestyle that is aspirational yet deeply human. It is not a space to impress, but to inhabit with mindfulness. The apartment becomes a vessel for light, reflection, and stillness — a refined echo of the ocean beyond its glass walls.