The V

Miami Beach, FL, United States

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The V

Miami Beach, FL, United States

Firm

Type

Residential › Multi Unit Housing

YEAR

2006

SIZE

5000 sqft - 10,000 sqft

The
owner of this 50 ft. wide by 140 ft. deep lot, on an interior street in the
South Beach area of Miami Beach, Florida, decided to develop a project for
himself, his brother and a third owner, instead of the possible 12 to 14 units
allowed by zoning, which is the preferred parti for development in this
desirable neighborhood.
Design
composition consists of a modest one-story unit located along the street edge
(raised 4 ft. above sidewalk due to flood requirements) but in compliance with
planning and zoning requirements that demand connectivity to the public
realm. Parking is hidden from the street
and accessible from an alley at the rear of the property. The other two larger units occupy the upper
floors in a vertical, three level composition intertwined in a way that offers
both the duality of openness and privacy in this dense urban context.
The
design allows both upper units to maximize use of the tight site (50 ft. wide)
by organizing them into a front and back organization, creating a more generous
arrangement of indoor and outdoor spaces rather than a long, thin alignment of
the programs. The roof is also developed
and improved for outdoor uses, including a rooftop pool for one of the units,
offering the tenants and guests, areas for outdoor parties and events in this
great South Florida environment.
The
architectural composition is one that exploits the idea of minimalism,
modernity and restraint as a way of life, without the trappings of the clichéd
“decorated” residential units that are so pervasive today.
This
project recently won a 2010 Award of Excellence from the Miami Chapter of the
American Institute of Architects.