Architect Profile: Arquitectonica
October 25, 2006
Arquitectonica is one of those architectural firms that can easily be considered a phenomenon. The firm, which started out in a small Miami studio with two architects (Bernardo Fort-Brescia and Laurinda Spear) in 1977 has evolved into a major international firm with 11 offices around the globe. The firm’s success is something Miami should be proud of. Consider that the city served as the creative laboratory through which this great awarding-winning firm has evolved. 
The firm is a veteran in the high density condo design market in Miami. They designed Brickell icons such as the Imperial, the Atlantis, and the Palace. Although these buildings are no longer talked about, for many years they were the tallest and most outstanding Brickell had to offer.
It is fitting then that this historic firm is literally and figuratively breaking new ground in leading Miami’s urban vertical surge. Arquitectonica’s latest Miami project designs are powerful and ambitious. Many of them have several buildings (Icon Brickell, Brickell CitiCenter, Infinity, Latitude, Axis and Bentley to name a few). Arquitectonica is arguably Miami’s most important and influential architectural firm. Hyperion Development has taken a liking to their work (Marina Blue and Blue on the Bay) having their projects exclusively designed by them, for now. 
In analyzing their current work you will find allusions to some of their past designs; an almost animated and lively impression. However, for the most part, in considering new projects such as the Hyperion developments, Icon Brickell and South Beach, Marquis, Brickell CitiCenter, Infinity, and Axis, one has little choice but to conclude that the majority of their latest work is a vision of the future urban Miami. A glimpse of 
what will be a city packed with glassy, sleek, soaring skyscrapers crammed amid palm trees and traffic. One finds comfort in knowing that much of the Miami skyline is changing with strokes of Arquitectonica genius. Developers in Hong Kong have begun to contract their work; another clear parallel between the two sub-tropical boomtowns. Arquitectonica is not inexpensive to employ. It is no coincidence that the wealthiest and most powerful developers often choose Arquitectonica. Developer moguls know what works well and can pay the high price for it. 
Ask Jim Clark and Tom Jermoluk, Lev Leviev, or Jorge Perez. As far as they are concerned, contracting Architectonica to do their design work preserves their legacy, protects their investment, and almost ensures visual success. For Miamians who get to bear witness to their city’s preposterous growth, Architectonica’s work is priceless.
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1.
Michael Stephen McFarland | January 12, 2007 at 11:36 pm
If the Omni Development is moving forward, I would like to see the towers listed on the Miami page of Emporis.com as either proposed or approved, whatever the status. This is free adverstising for you, if the project is still alive. I sure hope it is still alive and moving forward because the skyline is getting too Brickell-heavy and needs the Omni Development to balance it out along wth Onyx2 and Element. Perhaps the mixed-use route is the way to go. Seems to be the wave of the future. Steve
http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/ci/bu/sk/li/?id=101321&bt=2&ht=3&sro=1
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2.
BOB: Miami | January 15, 2007 at 4:36 pm
Argent Ventures is moving forward with their plans for the demolition of the Omni. They are being represented by Lucia Dougherty of Greenberg Traurig. Lucia typically gets what her client wants. I agree that much of the new development is taking place in Brickell and it would be nice to see Emporis reflect the changes in Uptown, particularly with the Omni, but Argent has not (at least I’m not aware it) publicized the details of their proposed buildings plan. The mixed use project has become the standard for new developments in Miami. My feeling is that as the residential condo glut continues to grow, developers are going to add more commercial elements to their mixed-use developments, as is the case with the MAX Tower in Uptown. The Omni redevelopment matter needs to be looked into further and certainly any new findings on my part will be reported to Emporis. For some additional information regarding density distribution type “distribution charts” in the search field of this site for an article I wrote on the matter. Cheers!
3. Miami’s Leader in U&hellip | June 27, 2007 at 4:09 am
[...] Zyscovich is at the forefront of Miami’s urban planning, Arquitectonica has their very own Downtown Miami Urban District Master Plan, which includes their vision for the [...]
4. Arquitectonica in the Far&hellip | July 3, 2007 at 3:31 pm
[...] Arquitectonica is known for having designed some of Miami’s most recognizable buildings. In the early 1980’s they designed, what were then, groundbreaking concepts for the Imperial, [...]
5.
jacqui | September 27, 2007 at 6:00 pm
There’s a great video clip from WPBT’s Art 360 on uVu that talks about the firm and the many buildings they have created in Miami over the years. Go to http://uvu.channel2.org Search keyword “arquitectonica”