A collective sigh of relief can be heard as the unveiling of this intriguing new building for the home of the Miami Art Museum is commenced. Recent memory cannot recall a time when so much anticipation over a new civic structure has captured the imagination and concern of so many. I for one am completely ecstatic. As is much reported with Herzog and DeMeuron, one never knows quite what to expect, but can usually rest assured that something of great beauty will transpire, and they do not disappoint.The initial model and renderings for the building depict an elegant, entirely contemporary building, that manages to embrace and incorporate many of Miami’s architectural histories, and issues. With the first and third floors sheathed in glass the 2nd floor galleries appear the levitate. The generous canopied roof provides a huge amount of shaded exterior public space that will be punctuated by sculptural indigenous plants, some climbing the columns, others hanging down through a beautiful abstraction of skylights that perforate the roof. These features will go a long way to ensure the capture of bay breezes for natural cooling.
The sheltered plaza should be all that is necessary to alleviate the concerns of massive buildings overrunning the park. The visual lightness of the structure as well will serve to maintain that the natural elements of the bay and the park are heralded.
The building could well be described as quiet. Herzog and DeMeuron are known for creating architecture that is subtle restrained and delicate and yet absolutely brilliant, even scintillating, at the same time. It brings to mind other recent important museums that, while also great architecture, could be seen as boisterous and some would go as far as to say gauche, by comparison, and yet no more aesthetically satisfying.
This is an exciting time for architecture and design in Miami and we could now well have a crown jewel.
If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it!
5 Responses to Initial Thoughts On New MAM Design
Leave a Reply
Contact Us!
Planetizen- Taking the Guesswork out of Designing for Walkability May 21, 2013Summary: The lack of adequate pedestrian behavior models means that designing for walkability has largely remained a matter of intuition. However, agent-based simulation can provide insight into the keys for creating pedestrian-friendly places. […]
- Annual Search Begins for UK's Ugliest Building May 21, 2013Oliver Wainwright solicits contenders for this year's Carbuncle Cup, Building Design magazine's annual search for the UK's worst "crimes against architecture". […]
- High Above Hollywood, Buying Into the Glamour Without the Grittiness of the Boulevard May 21, 2013With new luxury high-rises sprouting in a densifying Hollywood, and many more on the way, those hawking penthouses priced between $1-$45 million play up the unique amenities and play down the messy reality of a changing neighborhood. […]
- Take Your Kids to the Park and Leave Them There...Seriously May 21, 2013Apologies for being a little late on this one, but apparently last Saturday was the fourth annual 'Take Our Children to the Park...and Leave Them There Day.' Sounds crazy right? Lenore Skenazy argues why it may be the smartest thing you do all week. […]
- Environmental and Transportation Challenges Await New L.A. Mayor May 21, 2013Whoever is victorious in today's election to choose L.A.'s next mayor, the celebrating may be short lived. Pressing needs to strengthen the city's water supply, maintain transit momentum, and relieve toxic hotspots await the city's next leader. […]
- Greenest Building in UK Approved May 21, 2013Norwich, England will soon be home to the "greenest building in the U.K.," reports Mark Wilding. […]
- Planning Fatigue Plagues San Diego Outreach Efforts May 21, 2013After participating in at least 27 planning processes over the last 15 years, residents of City Heights can be forgiven for wanting to actually see something built. Plentiful funds for planning, but meager funds for building, are causing frustration. […]
- Environmentalists Told to Get With the Fracking Program May 21, 2013Environmentalists charged that the new federal rules guiding hydraulic fracturing do not protect the environment and inform the public about the fracking process. The new Secretary of the Interior, Sally Jewell, appeared prepared for their comments. […]
- Step Aside California, Michigan Modernism Gets a Spin in the Spotlight May 21, 2013During the post-war years, the Wolverine State gave the world much more than just elegant automobiles. A new exhibit explores Michigan's under-appreciated contributions to the design world. […]
- Comprehensive Planning off the Beaten Path May 21, 2013Liven up your comprehensive planning effort Texas style. Matthew Lewis, Development Director for the city of San Marcos, used everything from Legos to "design rodeos" (i.e. Texas charrettes) to get to common ground. […]
- Taking the Guesswork out of Designing for Walkability May 21, 2013
- Green Mobility Network
- An error has occurred, which probably means the feed is down. Try again later.
Huh. All I see is a bunch of stacked crates under some tarps.
But then, I never liked cousin Helmut’s buildings either.
(no, I’m not REALLY related to Helmut.)
A crate is an object used for transporting. These volumes will not move. A tarp is made of cloth. I’m certain the roof will not be made of cloth.
A crate is an object used for transporting…. A tarp is made of cloth.
Well, DUH. Gee, I’m so glad that this hideous construct isn’t actually what it looks like. And yet, this structure, while not BEING crates or cloth, still LOOKS like a stack of crates under cloth. If the intent is to hearken back to the days when Miami was just a place where smugglers stopped to exchange cargo, I suppose this building is successful.
Personally, I find nothing pleasing about it at all. “The emperor is buckass nekkid, and that ‘museum’ looks like a pile of crates under a tarp.” It reminds me of a Peace Corps encampment.
I’m with C.L. Jahn on the architecture of the building.
Of course I don’t have the deep-seated hatred of humanity and urban spaces, and urge to inflict suffering on them that is necessary to appreciate Modernism.
- Brian
My point was that–with the analysis of ‘it looks like crates under a tarp’– for that matter any rectangular building looks like a crate, because it is rectangular. The need to apply an assignment of one thing looking like another leaves no room to ever experience a new form or composition. Imagine if a toddler who first learns what a ball is, and then could never have an orange in their experience– because they call it a ball…because it is round.
I have heard a cylindrical tall building to be said to ‘look like roll of paper towels.’ When in truth it doesn’t look like a roll of paper towels. A roll of paper towels looks like a roll of paper towels.
I respect your opinion, that you are not interested in the building and do not find it aesthetically pleasing.
I think it is important to remain cognizant that it is a model– (intentionally no doubt) minimal and conceptual. I also respect that even at that, some may dislike the concept presented.
I find it dynamic, creative, original without being absurd, and foresee a beautiful edifice.
Anonymous- if I understand correctly you have no taste for modernism. I respect that as well.