The Heron is a LEED Platinum, four story 20-unit affordable senior housing project located in the Normandy Isles neighborhood of Miami Beach. Inspired by Miami MIMO, a regional style of architecture that developed in south Florida during the post war period where architectural forms became bright, playful, and a bit whimsy. Where inventive new forms of acute angles, sweeping curved walls, large roof overhangs and exterior hallways defined the subtropical environs of South Florida and included the work of world-renowned architect Morris Lapidus, the sublime Subtropical Modernism of Igor B. Polevitzky and the flamboyant Latin infusion of Enrique Gutierrez, the architect of the Bacardi USA building.
The Heron builds on this tradition by combining playful, eccentric modernist and classical forms. The sweeping curved facade of breeze blocks, consisting of round openings, forms a modern-day frieze, while applying a sense of lightness and permeability to the whole building both inside and out. Behind the white concrete façade are living units, catwalks, terraces and gardens surrounded by pastel-colored pink walls, a color often associated with the art deco period in Miami Beach. The tranquil, shady respite of these exterior spaces provide a welcoming and comfortable outdoor gathering place for the senior year-round population in Miami’s subtropical climate. The humidity and heat of summer are addressed by making accommodations for breezy corridors, covered galleries and shady courtyards. These passive design strategies are accompanied by high efficient thermally broken glazing, energy star appliances, no VOC and natural materials, a PV solar system and a host of other energy efficient measures.
Whether it’s the pastel colors, brise soleil or the curves of the breeze block façades The Heron’s architecture and playful aesthetic contributes to rich history and character of Miami Beach’s modernist architecture.
concrete breeze block provides abundant shade and dappled light.
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