Pretty much everything is a standout feature in this new-construction home sited in a gated community on Destin, Fla.’s Choctawhatchee Bay. Intended to resemble an upscale, contemporary resort hotel, it features a number of only-here superlatives that its designer George Small, AIA, of Zionsville, Ind.-based Design Point Architects can tick off by memory.

“The fireplace is the longest fireplace in America and the pool is the largest privately owned pool in the Southeast,” he said. And that 22-ft.-long TV mounted above the similarly sized fireplace, custom built by Sony? “It’s the only one that’s ever been done.”

Another unique feature of this 7,200-sq.-ft. residence, at least among its neighbors, is its standing seam metal roof, according to Small. “The homeowners association rules only allowed clay tile shingles, so we went for a variance – we’re the only standing seam metal roof in the neighborhood,” he said. “The house is very contemporary, and I had designed it with a low pitch. We tried a bunch of different kinds of slate, but it just didn’t go with the design.”

Small specified Petersen’s Snap-Clad roof panel system for the project, based on his experience with the company and its products for previous designs. In all, 18,000 sq. ft. of the panels in a Dark Bronze finish now cover the sprawling residence. Small said that color choice added harmony to a plan that includes other façade and grounds elements that carry through the 2.4-acre site. “It’s warmer, and I wanted to tie in with the bronze windows – and all the lighting in the landscaping is bronze.”

Installing the roof posed its challenges, the architect noted. The engineering firm on the project recommended Pensacola-based Sheet Metal Masters, a company with a long history of working on complex projects – and with Petersen’s products. That company’s president, Billy Cockrell, said the gables and folds in Small’s roof design called for the expertise his firm could offer.

“The skill level for this project was high – this was due to the high-end performance we always want to provide,” Cockrell said. “The roof area was very visible, and we wanted to make sure all the lines, folds and trims were crisp and clean. There was one area with a long chimney that had a large cricket that had to be flashed. We accomplished this by custom-fabricating the flashings and trims in our sheet metal shop.”

Cockrell knew his installation team also had Petersen’s support on their side as they worked through any engineering challenges. “We have been installing Petersen roofing material for over 25 years and have always had positive experience with their personnel,” he said. “They are responsive, professional and knowledgeable.”

Small was equally generous with compliments, noting Petersen’s responsiveness when the first installation threatened to throw a wrench in the construction schedule. “They really stepped up and helped us get moving, and got the roofing materials there quickly, so we wouldn’t be slowed down – they did a great job.”

The finished effort has proved to be a portfolio-booster for both the architect and roofer. Small called it, “one of those jobs that only comes along once in a while – a great project.” And Cockrell was equally positive, noting, “We are extremely pleased with the final product. It is a highly visible project in an exclusive area in Destin and we’ve received many compliments.”

Photos: 1920co.com