Dream House | Believe the unbelievable at Cardiff Hall

What an exhilarating, educational, and unpredictable voyage it has been, this weekly dream house series.

It all began with the maiden article on Sunday, October 18, 1992, in this newspaper. It was the featured home of an architect, designed with an outrageous number of 196 triangles.

There has been a hiatus, but the dream has been unflinchingly kept alive - ever eager to be shared with you all. That’s a commitment.

Thirty years later it enthusiastically continues with a house that enlightens to what true dream house architecture is all about.

Doors open wide to a house bordering the golf course, on almost three fruited acres in the upscale environs of Cardiff Hall, Runaway Bay, St Ann. What makes it so original and provocative (the exact words used to describe the multitriangular initial house in the series) is that it has, hidden from outside view, within the open air confines of the house, three secret interior gardens. Believe the unbelievable!

There is the waterfall garden courtyard (with pond), where the considerably sized entrance hall, living and family rooms open unto. The fountain garden courtyard, draws immediate scrutiny with its square, centrepiece water fountain - all surrounded by roofed walkways leading to five bodacious bedrooms and their supporting bathrooms, a library, and a reading room. Then comes the bamboo garden, enclosed by the oakwood kitchen, a butler’s pantry, a dining room seating 20 persons comfortably, and a wet bar. Three bedroom helpers’ quarters on the north wing allow for a dining area and a kitchen. A double carport secures vehicles.

Outdoor relaxation comes via private porches, verandahs, an outdoor dining area, a swimming pool, and a tennis court. A private white-sand beach is located across the road for the community’s usage.

The inventive interior spaces also generate untold pleasures with astounding details, such as natural stone walls; stone, marble, and parquet wood floors; vaulted bamboo ceilings; two-person sunken bath tubs; zero entry dual showers; double bathroom counter sinks and quartz, black granite, and corian solid surface counters, which, honestly, makes all the difference

Glass doors slide effortlessly wide open throughout, ensuring that both the sunlit inside, and flowering outside, are lovingly united in common cause to create that uplifting atmosphere.

The exterior colour is brushed in sky blue, while the interior is in relaxing light blue, cream, and green shades.

The one-of-a-kind house was constructed in 1969 by Maffassanti, the leading luxury home builders in Jamaica at the time, for Bertram and Dorothy May Astro. In 2012, the property was sold to its present owners, Americans Scott and Lori, who own and operate Christian based science and animal teen camps. Interestingly, it was while both were working at a summer camp in 1985 that they met, something ignited, and they eventually tied the knot.

Time has passed, much time, but this house dauntlessly holds its own with any that has recently been built in Jamaica.

Barry Rattray is a dream house designer and builder. Email feedback to barry-rattray@hotmail.com and lifestyle@gleanerjm.com