Miami's Urban Renaissance

Miami Arts Museum

Due to open in 2013, the Miami Art Museum (MAM) will be Herzog and de Meuron's second major building in Miami, following after the 1111 Lincoln Road parking garage.

At first glance, the proposed museum looks to be more traditionally Modernist in conception than some of their recent more 'iconic' work -- such as the Birds Nest Olympic stadium, De Young museum in San Francisco or even 1111 itself. Ex MAM director Terence Riley confirms that at the time of developing the design in 2006, the concept of building an 'icon' ('a hangover from the hysteria surrounding the Millennium' as Riley puts it) was something everyone was very conscious of. In the end though, early more ostentatious proposals were rejected in favour of a more pragmatic response to the climate, programme and available space.

Key to the project is the extensive roof which will provide a large amount of sheltered external space, taking advantage of Miami's subtropical climate. In this respect the project builds on the lessons learnt from 1111 Lincoln Road - which is now used for a multitude of activities beyond mere car park. Exposed concrete will be used throughout, as at 1111, though here the external spaces will be softened through the extensive use of hydroponic planting. Inside the galleries will allow free flowing interconnection of space more akin to a Hypertext arrangement than a traditional enfilade of spaces.

This is a hugely exciting project which together with the Science Museum and park will form a key waterside destination at the very heart of Miami - ushering in the next 100 years for this fantastic city

Image © Herzog & de Meuron, visualization Artefactorylab

architecture 12 May 2011