Posted by Meredith Folger Amon on Sunday, August 24th, 2025 4:12pm.
By Meredith Amon, Licensed in Alabama and Florida
Guided by Integrity. Backed by Experience. Search the Gulf with Meredith Amon.
One of the most exciting parts of my job is walking alongside clients as they plan and build their dream home here on the Gulf Coast. Right now, I’m working with a client who wants to build in the Orange Beach, Alabama area, and we’re exploring several design options. One of the plans we’re discussing is a coastal contemporary home built on a monolithic slab foundation—a style and structure that makes a lot of sense for our region.
A monolithic slab foundation is a continuous, strong concrete base poured at one time. It’s one of the most practical foundation types for coastal Alabama because it:
Provides excellent structural stability on sandy soils.
Creates a durable, low-maintenance base that helps resist termites and water intrusion.
Speeds up the construction process and helps manage costs compared to other options like stem walls.
For buyers building in Orange Beach or on Ono Island, this type of foundation offers both peace of mind and long-term value. With proper grading, drainage, and Fortified construction practices, a monolithic slab can stand up well in our coastal environment.
The design we’re considering reflects a modern coastal lifestyle while staying rooted in practicality:
Low-Pitched Roofline – A hip roof design with a clean, contemporary profile that blends beautifully with Gulf Coast architecture.
Three-Car Garage – Perfect for storing vehicles, golf carts, fishing gear, or even smaller boats—something many of my clients appreciate here.
Expansive Outdoor Living – Covered patios and porches designed to catch the breeze, complete with space for grilling, entertaining, or even adding an outdoor fireplace.
Light-Filled Interiors – Open-concept living with tall ceilings, wide-plank flooring, and large windows that bring in natural light and maximize water views.
Home Office or Flex Space – A modern necessity, especially for clients who want a retreat that can double as a work-from-home getaway.
When clients dream about building at the beach, they want a home that balances style, function, and durability. A coastal contemporary home on a monolithic slab checks all the boxes: it offers a fresh, modern look, plenty of space for entertaining, and the reassurance that the foundation is designed for coastal conditions.
One client told me recently, “I don’t just want a house at the beach—I want a home that feels like it was built for this lifestyle.” That’s exactly why we’re considering this plan.
If you’re exploring new construction in Orange Beach or Ono Island, know that you have options when it comes to both design and foundations. A monolithic slab can be a smart, cost-effective choice that doesn’t compromise on style or longevity. This coastal contemporary plan is a great example of how we can blend modern architecture, functionality, and Gulf Coast living into one home.
I’d love to share more about the building process and help you find the perfect plan for your coastal dream home.
Start your search here: Orange Beach Homes and New Construction
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RED OCTOBER: TALES OF THE GULF COAST’S FALL FISHING SEASON
By Meredith Folger Amon — Licensed in Alabama and Florida
Guided by Integrity. Backed by Experience. Search the Gulf with Meredith Folger Amon.
Come October, the Gulf turns a shade of silver-blue that’s hard to describe and impossible to…
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