Tropical Modernism Meets Dallas in an Extraordinary New Residence

Dallas hasn’t seen much innovation in residential architecture lately — until now. Tropical Modernism is making its debut in a unique Melshire Estates home by Jim Nisbet of Pedernales Development Company, clearly built with vision and passion. This beauty was just listed today by Dave Perry-Miller Realtors Ryan Streiff and Charles Gregory, so I hope you have them on speed dial!

Nisbet grew up assisting his father’s construction work for Houston’s Linbeck Group. Instead of entering the industry, he became a public health toxicologist for Caltex, working in Asia and Africa. He was drawn to the architecture of Sri Lanka, Singapore, Indonesia, and India. Caltex was headquartered in Las Colinas, bringing Nisbet to Dallas, where that inspiration took hold, and he eventually moved into construction full-time.

“I was exposed to remarkable architecture in my career, and that is the impetus for this house,” Nisbet said. “I call it Tropical Modernism. I’ve been inspired by Geoffrey Bawa, a Sri Lankan architect; Australian architect Kerry Hill; and American architect Ed Tuttle, who designed the Amanpuri hotel in Phuket, which set a new standard in resort design. I’ve also had the good fortune to work with some of the top architects in our area over the years.”

Those connections and friendships led to an incredibly talented collaboration that informed the design of this home on Charlestown Drive.

“Five architects worked with me on Charlestown,” Nisbet said. ”Tommy Upchurch led schematic design and was fully committed to the Tropical Modernism vision. Todd Hamilton handled detail and cabinetry design. He is the one who dubbed the grand room the cathedral room for its 70-foot length and dramatic ceilings.”

Scott Marek developed the entry configuration and screen and door designs, and D’Jelma Perkison supported the project with finishing and accent detail. Interior design was done by Shawna Kuykendall, who sourced the fabulous light fixtures. Christa McCall of Paper Kites Studios was the landscape architect. She designed a grid of cypress trees, blue rush grasses, and American sycamores.

Nisbet effectively mixed palatial with pedestrian, drawing inspiration from the Indian Haveli, which are townhomes centered around courtyards, and godown, an Indian term for a warehouse or storage room, to create the Tropical Modernism style.

The heart of the home is the expansive cathedral room that comprises living, dining, and kitchen spaces— captivating in a way that sets it apart from most open-plan homes. What will also strike you is the mix of textures, from the clay tile roof and painted brick used throughout the public rooms to the exotic woods chosen for the project, many of which you rarely see.

The living area centers around a textured brick-and-stone fireplace with an Isokern wood-burning firebox, inspired by a fireplace in John Mellencamp’s Montecito Hills residence. The formal dining room is intimate, also wrapped in white brick with matching vaulted ceilings.

​”The house is a series of asymmetrical structures joined by courtyards, loggias, and covered walkways,” Nisbet said. “It features large and small volumes, double-pitched roofs with steel-bracketed overhangs, black and white Sri Lankan elements, and a courtyard focus. There’s a hint of loft, but with upscale, hotel-like features.”

As for the principal suite, it’s more of an owner’s wing that features a wall of glass doors opening to the courtyard. The principal bathroom has the most beautiful Santos Rosewood cabinetry, heated floors, an oversized shower, and a soaking tub with polished nickel veneer. It faces a private brick-and-Ipe courtyard. I took a peek inside the standing cabinet to find a complete vanity station.

The home features a modern take on jali screens — perforated panels with intricate patterns. In Indian architecture, these historically provided ventilation, shade, and privacy, so they are an inspired design element to use in our climate. They are seen on the mahogany entry doors and enclosing the loggia.

The central courtyard has to be experienced to be fully appreciated. It is anchored by a pool with a fountain, designed by Bryan Weber of Water + Structures. At the rear of the pool is what Nisbet refers to as the temple pavilion, an outdoor loggia with another Isokern wood-burning fireplace and a balcony porch above it. There is a fully equipped outdoor kitchen tucked behind the loggia. Whether you are sitting in the loggia or on the balcony above it, the feeling of serenity is palpable. It’s as if you are sitting at a tropical resort and not in one of the best neighborhoods in Dallas.

Of course, you can never fully get the feel of a home that is not staged.  Nisbet wisely brought in George Bass Stage & Design, who went the extra mile, as usual.

“What a remarkably talented team,” Nisbet said. “They loved the house. They were so incentivized that they borrowed an antique Indian door out of George’s office!”

I’m betting Tropical Modernism is going to catch on in a big way. It’s what we’ve been missing: a home inspired by centuries of global design that combines the best of all worlds with a true resort lifestyle.

Ryan Streiff and Charles Gregory of the Perry-Miller Streiff Group have this inspired new home at  5747 Charlestown Dr. available for $4.89 million.