Sunshine Skyway Bridge
Bridge crossing the mouth of Tampa Bay, Florida, United States.
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.
U Residence
A SENSE OF HISTORICAL MODERNISM WILL BE REVIVED FOR THIS 1949 CENTURIAL-ERA HOME -- ARCHITECTURAL PRINCIPLES ARE THE TRUE INSPIRATION FOR RESTORING THIS EXPERIMENTAL TROPICAL MODERN RETREAT. A sense of dormant modernism lives inside this 1949 architectural marvel. Rufus Nims designed this modern tropical house within the premise of whom its residents would be— a farmer and seasonal summer resident— in a much less populated Miami. 69 years later, within the modern principals of architecture, Nims’ experiment has become a true reference of unusual construction and design methodologies, making this residence a timeless design structure. Today, Doo Architecture, lead by Alexis Cogul Lleonart, has taken the challenge of remodeling and updating this marvel to present day centurial needs. A delicate intervention will keep the original structure intact. Cantilever slabs and clean concrete columns will articulate a new volume, rotated 45 degrees from the original footprint towards the back of the house. The front of the structure will remain intact in its design and will be reconstructed, while the back of the structure will be completely remodeled and updated. The new addition will use warm new materials and cladding so as to complement and enhance the original design versus compete against it. Our European sensibility helped in recognizing the true value of this 70 year-old architecture example. The home will be delicately adapted to our modern times — a design based on the home's sense of place, time and scale.
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Open in Atlas MapFrequently Asked Questions
How long does the Florida architecture walking tour take?+
The self-guided walking tour covers approximately 486.6 km with 3 stops. Allow approximately 109 hours including 20 minutes of viewing time per building.
Is the Florida architecture tour free?+
Yes, this is a completely free self-guided walking tour. You can view the route on the interactive map, export it to Google Maps for navigation, and explore at your own pace.
Do I need to book the Florida architecture tour in advance?+
No booking is required — this is a self-guided tour that you can start at any time. All buildings can be viewed from the outside. For guided tours with expert commentary, we recommend checking GetYourGuide for local architecture tours.
What is the best time to do the Florida architecture walking tour?+
Morning light (before 11am) is ideal for photography of building facades. Weekdays tend to be less crowded around commercial buildings. Allow a full half day for the complete tour.