4112 NE 1 AV
Overview
Blu Dot’s flagship store in the Miami Design District elegantly stages their latest furniture collections and accessories behind a 3 story, 58’ tall glass veil.
This building acts is an intermediary between the burgeoning retail district to the south and the Buena Vista East Historical Neighborhood enclave to the north. This delicate urban condition required an architectural solution that at once served the commercial ambition of the developer and the sensitivities of the residential community.
To trestle such a contextual middle ground of two divergent urban conditions, various volumetric studies were tested to determine a suitable form for the building.
Through site observations and discussions with the neighborhood association, a series of architectural solutions to enhance the project were explored. Under the Miami 21 zoning code, the status quo would be to erect a conventional 45’ tall, volume and setback 5’ from the north property line.
The resultant shadow cast onto the adjacent residence was certainly a development impact, one that we aimed to to mitigate.
Ultimately, a simple, pitched roof building was deemed a sensitive transition between the
commercial and residential districts and a form that mitigated the shadow impact on the adjacent residence.
Throughout the year, as demonstrated with solar animations, the resulting architectural form allowed more direct light into the adjacent lot while reducing the perceived scale of the proposed building to that of the lower scale residential neighborhood.
Conversely, the visual mass of the building when experienced from the public zone is very different. The gabled curtain wall facade set within a cast in place concrete frame, harmonizes with the scale and materiality of other commercial buildings in the Design District.
The resultant architectural duality expressed by the gable and pitched roof forms, manifest a distinctive design compromise between two disparate, uniquely urban conditions.
Blu Dot's flagship store is a remarkable example of how thoughtful design can balance commercial and residential needs in a way that benefits everyone. Whether you're interested in contemporary architecture or the history of Miami's neighborhoods, this building is a must-see destination.
Details
Location: 4112 NE 1 Avenue, Miami FL
Program: Single tenant / Three story retail
Size: 8,856 sf
Budget: 2,800,000 +
Completion: December 2022
Design Team
Design Architect: R&B
Executive Architect: R&B
Structural Engineer: YCHE
MEP/FP Engineer: CREDO
Civil Engineer: Ocean Engineering
Landscape: Nielsen Landscape ArchitectsPhotography: Robin Hill
Client: Tricera Capital
Contractor: BHGC
Enquiry: info@royalbyckovas.com
