The Owner of this property wishes to develop a new duplex residence in what is a multi-family zoned area (RM-1), a respite from the typical development approach of maximizing residential units in an already crowded neighborhood. The design Parti organizes the Owner’s building program in a manner that not only satisfies the desire for openness and concern for privacy, diametrically opposite requirements, but does it in an uncompromised and respectful response to its future development neighbors. The scale of the house contributes to a street vocabulary of three, four and five-story structures that will add a unique solution to the vitality and rhythm of the block and the entire neighborhood.

The design of the 5,751 gross square foot (6,250 sq. ft. allowed by FAR), three level duplex (including rooftop decks with small pools) is rendered in a modern vocabulary, appropriate and in keeping with the built history of Miami Beach, the birthplace of some of the most notable “Moderne” and “Art Deco” architecture in the world.

Programmatically, the duplex is arranged in a vertical mirror image composition that assumes neighbors to the east and west of its site to be 4 or 5 story high, multi-family developments in the future. The ground level is reserved for covered parking and storage and hidden from street view by the vertical circulation elements of stairs and elevator, in compliance with design development standards required in the zoning code, creating a sort of “front porch”. The main living spaces start at the second level, containing the Great Room and a Bedroom Suite. A vertical glass area in the central dining space creates light filled moments for the Great Room in the units, providing openness and privacy central to the design. The third level of the units contain the Master Bedroom Suite, an additional Bedroom Suite and an office/studio area. The rooftop for each unit contain outdoor entertaining spaces that transition from covered, to trellised to open and include a rooftop pool The Landscape Design proposal uses 100% Florida native trees, palms and groundcover/flora, specifically selected for their high salt water tolerance and ease of maintenance.