A flat roof is more prone to lift in high winds than a traditional hip roof. Some jurisdictions will prohibit them. I’d think you’d might be one, but I don’t know Miami. It’s also a starkly modern design choice.

Yes, flat roof homes typically have a more modern, mid-century, vibe. However, with a good designer, along with a very good contractor, you could come up with plan to design the space with a more timeless feel. Do know that a flat roof house will still have a more modern aesthetic, as a whole, but adding elements such as more traditional windows, doors, landscaping, etc. could help to soften that modern feel. Good luck!

Contact local architects that has designed houses (buildings) in a style that is acceptable to you.

I agree with Mark, find an architect.

older flat roof buildings look kind of like schools or apartment buildings to me.

flat roofs are more difficult when it comes to water drainage. it rains a ton in florida, so that would be a no-go for me.

I have a Colonial Revival home, built in 1909, and we have four flat roofs. One over a porte, one over a porch, and two bays.

classic adobe is another style of flat roof house. the design is about as old as you can get. but I'm guessing that's not the look you're going for.

Usonian?

Art Deco?

You can consider a Spanish Hacienda or a Contemporary Western Regional. Here are descriptions and sample renderings from my community's Custom Home Design Guidelines:

Spanish Hacienda

The Spanish Hacienda architectural Style is based on the courtyard haciendas of the early American Southwest. Spanish Hacienda courtyards, commonly entered through an arched masonry portico flanked by rustic wooden or ornamental iron doors, include a shaded arcade. Masonry or precast columns are a dominant feature of this Style. Other standard characteristics inherent to this Style are the use of all flat roofs or flat roofs in combination with sloped clay tile roofs, wood trellises, and exposed rafters. The use of masonry creates a surface texture that is visibly accentuated by the desert sun. Exposed wood beams, rafter tails, and divided lite windows adorn and add richness to the Spanish Hacienda exterior presence. Artful craftsmanship and patterned placement of masonry at wall terminations, tops of parapets, window headers and sills, and door openings are further elements of the Spanish Hacienda Style. Windows are either rectilinear, or flattened or

segmented arch forms.

Contemporary Western Regional

Contemporary Western Regional Massing Criteria

The Contemporary Western Regional building massing is generally free of specific rules, but predominantly is a rectangular mass with multiple additive masses attached to it, giving the overall composition an appearance of being built over time. Any primary two-story masses will generally require a transition to single-story masses, especially at the front, corners and sides. The central form may expand to create an L-, U-, or H-shaped configuration. In general, curved, rounded, meandering, or organic shapes are not allowed. Curved forms may be appropriate for secondary elements and massing, but not likely for primary building forms.

@User made another good suggestion with the classic territorial style home suggestion; however, that style is not permitted in my neighborhood. So, I don't have information on the massing criteria or other details for that style, but many books are available on it if it's a style that you like.

Thank you to all for the input - Patrick I had not realized the Spanish style might include flat roofs - many homes in our neighborhood are Spanish style so that would fit in well! I’ll need to research how to make the Spanish hacienda style work with our space allotment of 3,000 sq feet for the home - but this gives me a place to start. Thank you! Will need to hire an architect but this gives me a good idea going in.

@kristy0703 - The detail that I provided was an excerpt from a larger document. You can find more detail (windows, supports, massing, roof material, roof pitch, etc) in the full document found here: https://verrado.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Verrado-Custom-Home-Design-Guidelines.pdf. 

Regardless of size, I think you'll find the information useful should you decided to build one of the styles detailed in the guidelines.

Three decided un-modern flat-roofed homes. Note that each utilizes a parapet. The first is the work of Robert O. Derrick. The second two are both Hugh T. Keyes.

I love the "Points" for good residential architecture.

For sure makes my morning runs enjoyable.

Had not thought about parapets but yes! That will help transition our home from ultra modern to more classic

Well, I was so curious about you wanting a flat-roofed home, which is interesting, but is believing a flat roof would better withstand hurricanes a good reason to want one?

I am not a pro, but some googling seemed** (I trust the experts here more than my googling) to reveal that there are hurricane-resistance design factors more important than slope of the roof....

Additionally, flat roofs have some potential drawbacks...

I will follow the discussion to see what the experts say.

Flat roof is unique on it own and the parapets. Parapets enhances the aesthetics

For south FL build a hip roof with no overhangs and then use wall hung overhangs over all the openings. This will keep the rain and sun off your windows and doors. The hurricanes may blow the wall mounted structures away, but not your roof.

Flat roofs and their parapet structures are a more complex build, with added maintenance.

Ulisdone-I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this input. Going to research it - we have zero experience in building and are learning as we go.

Resisting high winds is not a DIY design task nor will you find enough accurate information on the internet. You need a good structural engineer and architect. I've only dealt with high wind loads on ocean front properties but I can tell you that a low-sloped roof (l1/4" per foot) will have serious problems with uplift at the corners and excessive rain drainage in addition to higher maintenance and cost.

I'm going to guess a good design team will end up with a 7 in 12 +/- hipped roof well anchored to walls that are well anchored to the foundation with roll down hurricane shutters. But don't rely on my opinion, hire some design professionals.

Here is an article about a study by an engineer.

You can also buy a copy of the study here..

Thank you - purchased the study - yes of course we will hire an expert - wondering now if I should NOT assume the architect we hire knows a great deal about this topic, either way I want to be somewhat educated so I know what questions to ask. Thank you all - really appreciate it

Look into insurance for a flat roof. Many insurers disqualify a flat roof.

Caroline I had no idea! Here we are trying to build the most hurricane proof roof and we might not be able to insure it!!

Thank you for the input

I own an insurance agency and it is tough to insure flat roofs, at least here in NJ. Call local agencies and ask before going this route.

I know homeowner's, in general, is very tough in Florida right now.