Faena House is the latest addition to the stretch of luxury apartments, hotels and resorts along Miami Beach in Florida. Bounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and Collins Avenue to the west, the site is north of Miami’s celebrated Art Deco quarter.
The sleek, modern lines of the 14-storey apartment block resonate with this local style, while the building’s efficient passive form is designed to reduce the need for mechanical cooling during the hot summer months. The development comprises 68 luxury apartments, arranged above two storeys of residents’ facilities – these include a spa, pool and state-of-the-art fitness centre.
The lower levels are elevated above a tranquil natural landscape of native planting, grasses and lily ponds, which flow beneath the building and cool the entrance spaces. Arriving guests alight at an exclusive drop-off area and enter a light-filled atrium, which appears to float on the water. From here, paths through the landscape lead to four individual glazed elevator pavilions.
At the upper levels, each residence has a private vestibule leading to elegant entrance hall, with high ceilings and natural daylight from the fully-glazed living area. Each apartment is designed to maximise ocean views and all feature generous full-height living spaces. Large wrap-around terraces dissolve the boundary between inside and outside, creating ‘verandas in the sky’ that take advantage of South Beach’s exceptional climate, capture cooling sea breezes and encourage an outdoor lifestyle.
Location: Miami, USA Architect: Foster + Patners Collaborating Architect: Reuvelta Quantity Surveyor: Gardiner & Theobald Landscape Architect: Raymond Jungles Inc. Area: 5 759 m² Client: Faena Group