“The quality of architecture is about poetry and beauty but it’s also about beauty and perfection.” – Renzo Piano
Pritzker- prize winning architect, Renzo Piano, lives by this idea. In his eyes, architecture does not stop simply at functionality; it is a statement of beauty, craftsmanship and proof of humanity’s achievements. His vision is embodied by the Eighty Seven Park beachfront building located in Miami’s North Beach district.
The seemingly surreal tower was designed by the architect’s firm, Renzo Piano Building Workshop, established in 1981. In collaboration with Stantec Architecture, the masterminds behind this work created a futuristic structure that thrives through the natural elements that surround it. The terraces and floor to ceiling windows form part of an open design that welcomes the fresh breeze and calming views of the Atlantic Ocean. The building’s other fronts are surrounded by greenery from the public park and from its private two-acre garden made exclusively for residents’ personal enjoyment.
The 18-story oval tower encapsulates 68 unites flanked by white gleaming pillars that add to the mesmerizing appeal of the construction. At the very core of the structure there is a lightness and transparency that harmonizes with the beauty of the tropical environment. This concrete building was designed to incorporate all the advanced elements of modern architecture while respecting the surrounding nature. This effect was accomplished through the use of materials such as aluminum, glass, wood, and the vibrant greenery of the park which sets a soothing atmosphere. At 18-storeys high, Eighty Seven Park hovers above the treetops overlooking Miami’s turquoise waters like a monument to contemporary and sustainable design. Its expanse is divided into three sections that include a ground floor made up of the lobby and amenity spaces, 68 spacious units, and the rooftop deck.
Residents have to themselves a private park projected by West 8, the Dutch landscape architecture firm established in the innovative city of Rotterdam. Each of the building’s villas are suspended across decks with view of the sea and interiors inspired by Miami’s landscape. The Paris-based studio, RDAI, infused the interiors with abundant plants paired alongside grey and green furniture accented with gold. The residences’ floors feature an expanse of American oak wood highlighting the Italian stone counters and elegant glass walls leading to wrap around terraces. Within the bright décor certain elements such as the wooden fittings, vibrant artworks and indoor plants create a contrasting effect that expresses the dialogue between modern interiors and nature’s glamour.
Like any oasis, Eighty Seven Park offers its inhabitants a stimulating getaway from the hectic city-life. A fresh breeze carries the ocean’s scent entwined with the exotic essence of the abundant vegetation. It spreads from the beach to the nearby cabanas and outdoor swimming pool that flank the building. Residents have immediate access to this space from the extensive glass-covered lobby framed by a collection of artwork and plant-life photographs. Beyond the reception the Enoteca bar awaits inhabitants and visitors with a varied selection of botanically inspired drinks that transport individuals to a natural heaven. Likewise, the ground floor is also home to a library holding a curated arrangement of books and magazines for readers of all ages and backgrounds.
With Eighty Seven Park, architecture has taken another step towards a balanced interaction with nature focused on the message that will remain engraved in the city of Miami rather than on simple aesthetics. At the same time, this modern tower has begun a conversation that revolves around contemporary design and sustainability. A balance is met with nature in this new creation that symbolizes a new start for architecture.
“One of the great beauties of architecture is that each time, it is like starting all over again.” -Renzo Piano