Form Studies

The form studies analyze how the surrounding programs translate into the site plan in a way that invites pedestrians and creates connections through the site. Contemporary museums need to establish a relationship with the communities, open up and break from the typology of sheltered vessels. This can be done by softening the barrier between the museum and the street, allowing the public to extend as far into the space as possible. Guiding the street into the site creates natural meeting spaces and allows the structure to open in all directions and angles into Overtown, creating connections and views.

Program Relationships/Strategies

Due to the proximity of the Historic Lyric Theatre, the brightline station, brightline garage, and metrorail station, the ground floor is designed for pedestrians and the community. It is meant for people to walk through from multiple points of entry and experience these spaces, either as a guest or as a pedestrian crossing through the site rather than around. To the West facing Overtown is the promenade, which acts as an exhibition area as well as public green space. Art markets, pop-ups, and more can occur in this main plot. There are various secondary exhibition spaces throughout the site, both green space and water features.

The first floor is the most public portion of the site, with the rotating exhibits, spotlight gallery, lecture hall and mural walls. To the North are the artist studios, as well as the café and reception to the South. A display preparation area, loading dock, and freight elevator are included in the southern tip of the gallery and are continuous spaces throughout each floor to transport and prepare exhibits. The second floor includes pedestrian pathways, bridging the gap between the buildings that the pedestrian paths on the first floor created, connecting the various shards. This floor includes more studio space as well as administrative offices. With private entries as well as access to the gallery. The third floor is only gallery and administrative space. This floor includes a path to the rooftop, which is enclosed by the canopy and can be utilized as event spaces or further exhibition space, offering flexibility in program.

ENTRY 5,000 sq ft

Lobby/Reception

Gift Shop

GALLERY 44,000 sq ft

Rotating+Spotlight Photography

Lecture Hall Permanent

Loading Dock/Display Prep

Mural Walls

STUDIOS 20,000 sq ft

Art Studio

Sculpture/Pottery Studios

CAFE - 5,000 sq ft

Coffee Shop

Outdoor pavilion Kitchen

Staff Area

ADMINISTRATION - 5,000 sq ft

Curator Office Storage

Meeting Rooms Security

Staff Area

Promenade - 14,000 sq ft

Public Green space Exhibition

Canopy Structure

With a hot climate like Miami, measures must be taken when designing paths through the site that will have pedestrian traffic and exhibits on display, as well as interior spaces that are temperamental to temperature and light. Carefully placed apertures can contribute to this, as well as an exterior canopy that protects interior, open air paths through the site.

The canopy drapes over the building mass, enclosing exterior spaces and creating shelter from the sun and the rain. It is a mix of ACM aluminum paneling with fire resistant, non-combustible core and a glass canopy with insulated glass with aluminum mullions and gutters wth drainage throughout the structure.