Miami Beach Convention Center Renovation and Expansion

NEIGHBORHOOD Miami Beach’s rich history of arts and culture strengthens the local quality of life and economy. The Convention Center District sits in a residential neighborhood surrounded by parks and high-use commercial, municipal and cultural amenities. The existing generic structure was a misfit to the area’s continued vibrancy and to attracting international events, with its “big box” aesthetic and no discernable main entrance. Its location amid smaller city blocks also challenged typical convention traffic, which jammed daily life for area residents, workers, and visitors. INNOVATION The vision was to create a clear and lively entrance, add exterior and interior elements reflective of the region’s natural character—ocean waves, the beach, and sea life—and attract international economic, cultural, environmental and technical events that invite pedestrian engagement and rely less on vehicular traffic. Ocean patterns, manta rays, and coral reefs were studied as part of concept development. Design for the resulting fin shade structure involved devising an intricate system of angled forms that float across a new glass façade on a complex series of hurricane resistant braces, substructure and connections. The undulating form opens the lobby to dappled light while the waved fin pattern blocks direct sunlight, reducing interior glare and heat gain. Infrastructure advancements attract new events and make this one of the most technologically advanced convention centers in the US. RESILIENCE For hurricane-prone and severe weather event communities, resilient structures can mean survival. The design transforms the center to meet the city’s resiliency plan and provide safe shelter for area residents. An existing six-acre asphalt parking lot was transformed into a vibrant public park that includes gardens, lawns, art installations, and shaded areas. Twelve acres of greenspace and over 1,300 new trees were added. Over 100 existing trees were preserved. The design increases the pervious acreage of the 25-acre campus by 245%, significantly reducing heat island effect. The elevation of critical building systems to the second floor allows the center to remain operational as a community shelter during hurricanes.