True craftsmanship

In an eclectic combination of modern farmhouse and industrial styles, Joyal Homes’ Sandhill Key model at Aripeka exemplifies the craftsmanship that is embedded in the DNA of this family-owned company celebrating a half-century of building some of Brevard’s most outstanding homes. ROB DOWNEY

Joyal dovetails customer desires and exceptional design

Joyal Homes’ new Sandhill Key model, at Viera’s Aripeka community, is a luxurious example of why this construction company has amassed so many fans during its 50 years in business.

The attention to detail in this outstanding home begins at the driveway with pavers in hues of gray that are carefully placed but not in the popular checkered pattern. Rather, they draw the eye with a progression in tone, from light to dark, that culminates at the impressive foyer and its sleek 10-foot-tall, black wrought-iron door that pivots effortlessly. The tradesmen responsible for the driveway, like all of the subcontractors that are part of Team Joyal, know well what they do, and they do it well. 

Not surprisingly, the 3,397-square-foot home was snapped up — for upwards of $2 million — before it was officially unveiled. An eclectic combination of modern farmhouse and industrial style, Sandhill Key exemplifies the craftsmanship that is embedded in the DNA of this family-owned company that is celebrating half a century of building some of Brevard’s most outstanding homes. 

This extraordinary house blends perfectly with the unique ambiance found in the Viera community of Aripeka, where well-established live oaks and palms are treated as priceless parts of the landscape. “This was the first home I ever designed, as a model, where saving the existing trees was the highest priority,” Executive Designer Jeff Joseph said. “I have done that for clients before, but never for a model.”

Joseph’s 40-years-and-counting career with Joyal Homes exemplifies the work ethic and long tenure that are hallmarks of the Joyal team. While four decades have passed since he joined Joyal, Joseph has not veered from his quest for perfection. Dovetailing the latest trends in home design with homebuyers’ wishes produces a superior product that has earned Joyal Homes significant accolades, including the Builder Leadership Award from the Florida Solar Energy Center and a gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. On numerous occasions, Joyal Homes has earned Best of Show and People’s Choice at the Parade of Homes.

It’s all in the details at the Sandhill Key, reflected in unique features such as the bespoke, backlit walnut accent wall created by master carpenter Manny Rodriguez and the intricate paver design, below, that progresses in tone from light to dark. ROB DOWNEY PHOTOS

The company that brothers Paul, Bob and Danny Joyal built in 1974 remains a three-generation, family-owned firm blessed with a fiercely loyal Team Joyal of employees and subcontractors, who average 23 years of service. JASON HOOK

LOYALTY

The pool/spa complex of Joyal’s Sandhill Key home overlooks the mature landscape of Aripeka, the Viera Company’s eco-community designed around established oaks, pines and palm hammocks. ROB DOWNEY

Like Joseph, many Joyal staff members and subcontractors have been associated with the company for decades. “We’ve had several employees that retired after over 30 years of employment, as well as several employees that are still working that have been here over 30 years,” Joyal President Tom Hull said.

“We have some trade partners that have been working with us for longer than 40 years and are still part of contributing to the success that we have had over these last 50 years. I feel that Joyal’s longevity is directly related to our employees and trade partners. Both exhibit exceptional loyalty and passion for following the Joyal culture, which is doing the right thing for our customers and trades.”

Glowing testimonials from customers are testament to the truth in Hull’s statement. “My first experience building a custom home, and the entire staff made everything seamless and exciting and pleasant,” wrote Mary Ellen Howze. “Simply the best in every area of construction.” Joyal homebuyer Will Mudge added that “they are easy to work with, professional and very ethical” and that “Joyal built a fantastic home.”

A custom hood is the centerpiece of the Sandhill Key kitchen, which also includes a working pantry behind the main kitchen. This current trend deflects routine kitchen tasks to the pantry, leaving the granite counter clutter free. ROB DOWNEY

DESIGN FIRSTS

Jeff Joseph, part of Team Joyal for 40 years, brought Aripeka’s verdant setting into the company’s Sandhill Key model, even into one of the family baths, through the use of a cleverly placed window. ROB DOWNEY

Joyal’s Sandhill Key model is all about the details. This is the first home where Joyal employed abundant use of decorative wood and steel trusses. The wood portion of the trusses was finished using labor-intensive and time-honored shou sugi ban, a traditional Japanese method of wood preservation that involves charring, cooling, brushing, washing and sealing virgin wood for a strikingly beautiful textural effect. The process also renders it waterproof, and resistant to rot, mold, fire and insects.

The model’s design represents several firsts for Joyal, including the concept of the working pantry, a sizzling trend in new homes. “Those are very popular right now as everyone is treating their kitchen cabinets and counters like they are furniture and should not be used — or even touched — on a regular basis,” Joseph explained. 

However, the residence’s most dramatic feature is the “shard wall” in the bonus room, another first for the company. This bespoke walnut accent wall is a study in angles and a definite eye magnet for any visitor. Master carpenter Manny Rodriguez, who has helped define Joyal’s attention to detail for 25 years, has set a new bar for his craft with an abstract piece of art accentuated with LED backlighting.

“Potential clients must know we will not duplicate that pattern again, but we will work with them to come up with a new design,” Joseph said. If prospective homebuyers’ initial interest is any indication, Rodriguez will be busy with more wall-to-wall wooden masterpieces for years to come.

The master suite adjoins a wooden pergola that offers vistas of the woods and trails intrinsic
in Aripeka.

BEYOND LUXURY

In the master bath, a shower enclosure provides industrial vibes via metal muntins, vertical and horizontal elements that create a grid pattern applied to the outside of the glass. An expansive window welcomes Aripeka’s signature landscape into the bath. ROB DOWNEY PHOTOS

Joyal’s perfect touches also include a wooden pergola outside the master suite to afford a sweeping vista of the woods and trails that are intrinsic to Aripeka, and a shower that goes above and beyond traditional luxury. “We also have modern barn doors and an industrial-looking shower enclosure in the master bath with metal muntins [vertical and horizontal elements that create a grid pattern] applied to the outside of the glass,” Joseph noted.

Accentuating the “industrial farmhouse” vibe are the decorative metal columns installed in the gallery. Their exposed metal rivets complement the steel trusses. “These columns also frame the view of the gallery/hall, which acts as a spine for circulation in the house,” Joseph said. “We also have black painted wrought iron interior doors with integral transom windows placed directly above the two sets of double doors separating the great room from the bonus room.”

While much has changed since brothers Paul, Bob and Danny Joyal’s company delivered its first home in 1974, much also remains the same — more than 2,600 homes later. The square footage of residences has significantly increased from the modest West Melbourne home that launched the company. What has never changed, however, is Joyal’s unwavering commitment to incorporating the latest home design trends and making their customers happy. This philosophy of doing business is rooted in tradition — now carried on by the third generation of a family dedicated to earning trust by doing the right thing.

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