Miami Condo Development

Year / 2019
Location / Miami, Florida
Building Type / Hospitality and Leisure
Units / 220
Building Area / 211,000 sf
Status / Design Development
Role / Lead Designer at SOM
Architect of Record / SOM-NY

The Bayshore Drive Residences are an environmental response to an eccentric site which has several prominent structures to contend with for views of the Bay and of Downtown Miami.

The building envelope follows the inscription of the urban perimeter, while the building’s primary internal structure is stepped and oriented perpendicular to the bay to maximize views. The mediation of these two orientations (the urban grid and the views of the Bay) are resolved in the scalene and concave balconies provided to each unit- which act both as an outdoor extension of the units, while also blocking the harsh Summer sun.

The deeply stepped facade increases envelope-to-floor-area ratio, creating more surface area to release unwanted heat and humidity. And the tapering form encourages cool Gulf breezes to pass through the units.

Additionally, the tower is organized around two distinct cores, which offers greater seismic strength and hurricane-resistance, in addition to providing clever point-loaded access to upper units (no shared hallway or elevator lobby).

On lower floors, guestroom count drops-off, where views of the Bay are diminished. A series of floors skewered by columns and core support the amenity functions, meeting rooms, and pool deck, using the condo tower mass above to provide shade and coverages from weather events.

This erosion of the lower levels also makes the tower a good neighbor, as views of the bay are preserved for adjacent buildings.

The units range from 1,150 - 4,600 SF.