Brickell Harbor – Stage 1

 

 

Project Goals

The Brickell Harbor project is located along the inter-coastal waterway of Miami-FL. The unit has its North facade facing the water and the East facade allowing for a partial view of the same. The client communicated that one of her goals was to maximize the views of the water, since this is her vacation home and a place to relax. A second goal for this project was to take advantage of natural lighting to illuminate the unit as much as possible. Another challenge to be addressed is that the client likes to cook while entertaining but the current kitchen plan is isolated from the living spaces, therefore the proposed scheme has to provide a plan with a better visual/physical connection between the kitchen and the living room. Since this condo unit is the client””s vacation home, she expressed a preference for a Zen/Asian design aesthetic with simple geometry and natural materials.

 

Assembling the Team

For Brickell Harbor, BC3 has assembled a team of architects and interior designers to tackle the interior architecture challenges. The team members working on this project are:

 

Jason Tapia

Anaclaudia Magalhaes

Patricia S. Borba

Claudia Aravena

Jahmairi Sainz

 

 

Concept

Building Center No. 3 starts examining ideas to solve the project””s challenges. The concept of an open kitchen adjacent to the living spaces begins to develop. The proposed kitchen plan would allow the client to cook while also entertaining her family and guests as she desires. As for maximizing natural lighting, the team studies the idea of using a translucent material on some of the walls and doors between the bedroom and living area to allow natural light to penetrate deeper in the  interior spaces. The project””s Interior Designer Jahmairi Sainz and Senior Designer Claudia Aravena, research on materials and finishes that support the clients wishes for a zen and relaxing atmosphere. After the required research, Brickell Harbor begins to further develop its concepts.

 

 

-PSB

Sustainable Design in Miami

http://www.bcnumber3.com

BCC Project Manual Win

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(source:http://www.skyscrapercity.com)

 

Building Center No. 3 was hired by Arquitectonica and Arquitectonica Geo to write the specifications for  Brickell City Center. The scope of work includes generating the project manuals for the architecture and landscape component of the project. BC3 is working closely together with the above firms in an integrated approach to deliver successful technical specifications.

 

 

-PSB

Sustainable Design in Miami

http://www.bcnumber3.com

Prime Air Progress Report- Stage 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Project Goals

Prime Air project begins its design phase. The team starts researching the site and getting familiar with the client””””s perception of value for the project. Prime Air is a supplier of airplane parts to worldwide clients and specific program requirements get the team doing their homework!

 

The studies lead the team to conclude on four main design ideas for Prime Air Headquarters:

  • integrate the three disciplines of architecture, interior design and landscape in the design of the project.
  • provide a solution to assist the company in the transition of employees having private offices to an open work-space environment.
  • maximize user groups”””” access to natural light
  • maintain the original industrial aesthetics in the indoor spaces while also strengthening the Art-Deco cues on the existing facade.

 

The program component of Prime Air also has challenging goals. The team must keep the extended work area within a 3,000 sq ft footprint so not too much space is taken from the storage area required. Addition of conference and fitness rooms must be addressed as well. Building Center No. 3 starts sketching schemes that comply with the desired goals for Prime Air.

 

Assembling the Team

BC3 puts together a team of two architects, a landscape architect and an interior designer to develop the design and construction document phases of this project. The team members are:

 

Jason Tapia AIA, LEED AP, NCARB is a registered architect in Florida and New York. He earned a B. Arch at Cornell University and an M.S. in Architecture Studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He has been practicing architecture for fifteen years and is a Principal at Building Center No. 3, LLC. Areas of expertise include the design of buildings using life cycle assessment tools, building performance modeling and passive design strategies. He currently resides in Miami, FL.

 

Anaclaudia Magalhaes is a landscape designer who completed her studies at Florida International University. She earned her Associates in Arts in the discipline of architecture at Miami Dade College. She is originally from Brazil but has resided in Miami, FL for the past 10 years. Her academic work focus includes investigating context-driven concept solutions fostering community and environment. She currently works at Building Center No.3.

 

Patricia S. Borba earned a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from Florida International University. She is working on her professional Bachelor of Architecture as well as a Master of Urban and Regional Planning from Florida Atlantic University. Patricia is a designer and trained architect currently at Building Center No. 3. She is originally from Brazil and has lived in South Florida since 2001. Her career focuses on researching and practicing environmentally responsible design while producing high performance buildings.

 Yamile Leon is an Interior Designer at Building Center No. 3. She has earned a Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design and minored in Fine Arts at Florida International University. She is currently working on a Master of Arts in Architecture. Her work focuses on meeting the needs of the user through an aesthetic, conceptually-driven design that relates to the exterior environment.

 

 

Research-Based Concept

BC3 decides to target the project””s goal of integrating the three disciplines by the creation of a Green Zone that will tie the outside area with the insides spaces of the building. The transition from private office to an open work-space will be eased by using the concept of “neighborhoods” to define a more private zone within an open area. Natural light will be addressed with the positioning of the rooms on the South side of the workspace, leaving the open area facing the facade with the most glazing. Prime Air is now ready to enter phase 2…

 

-PSB

Sustainable Design in Miami

http://www.bcnumber3.com

 

Praça da Cultura – Stage 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After six weeks from its beginning, Praça da Cultura is now complete. The team has designed a public square with spaces that are flexible for multiple uses and also unique to the context of the city. The concept  of the linkage element has evolved and this element became the pathways interconnecting the programmatic zones. These zones developed a circular motif defining their boundaries physically and visually while opening up when the motifs meet the linkage element. The main water body retained its conceptual expression of a central feature in the design.

The recreational space provides an open field for playing sports, such as soccer which is very popular in Brazil. The fitness area provides the users with fixed workout stations while having access to the linkage element that guides one through the other amenities. The main boulevard separates North and South zones and it is hierarchically differentiated by lining the street edge with Tabebuia trees. This street is converted into pedestrian-only public space and can be closed off for special events. In order to strengthen the relationship between the community and the civic entities, the space directly South of the courthouse was designed to be a seating area that can be converted to a local artist exhibition space for community events. A water feature containing jets gives the pedestrians a closer connection with the water. The skating rink is a familiar amenity for Brazilians and the design creates a relationship with the water body. At the Northwest terminal point the design provides for an outdoor theater where a range of cultural activities can occur.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The design closely follows precepts of LEED by creating an area for bicycle racks, applying universal design requirements, maintaining the site””””””””s open visibility, creating shaded pathways, and promoting community involvement. The project also addresses concerns of appropriate plant selection to mitigate water usage. The plants chosen are indigenous or have proven to be hardy in the city””s climate. In addition, there are areas where pervious paving is proposed in order to help recharge the water table after rainfall.

The design proposal successfully combines sustainable strategies with meaningful amenities for the local population. The linkage element provides multiple pathways cutting through the site and guiding the pedestrians to the amenities. There are spaces dedicated to specific uses as well as flexible spaces for events and community gatherings. The design brought back the connection between  the town’s residents and a water feature while providing emotional and environmental significance.

 

-PSB

Sustainable Design in Miami

http://www.bcnumber3.com

 

Victoria Park Competition Win!

BC3’s landscape designer AnaClaudia Magalhaes wins a landscape competition sponsored by a condo association located in the historic district of Victoria Park. The scope of work included alterations to the exterior of the building, and landscaping of the courtyard, pool area, and the east side of the site. The design solution needed to address the lack of shade and seating in the courtyard and pool areas. It was also observed that the residents enjoyed using those spaces for barbeques and gardening. These observations were taken in consideration in the design proposal.

The design approach was geared towards maximizing residents comfort and promoting engagement with the space by offering a seating area with views to the proposed herb gardens and barbeque area where residents will have the opportunity to entertain family and friends. The pool area was defined with a trellis/ fence creating privacy from the parking area and adjacent streets. Minimalist materials were chosen to create a neutral relationship with the architecture features of the building and accentuate the color of the planting material. The planting selection was based on Florida native’s drought tolerant planting materials and their inclusion in the design added color and texture to the space. Permeable paving was applied to the parking area to mitigate the water runoff and minimize the heat island effect generated from the existing asphalt parking. The proposed permeable technology also cools the pool area giving the resident’s a comfortable lounging space. Construction and installation is scheduled for Spring 2012.

 

-PSB

Sustainable Design in Miami

http://www.bcnumber3.com

GIC Project Completed

The GIC project has now completed construction phase. BC3 remodeled the interior spaces of GIC condominium unit by using research-based solutions for the space planning strategies. The kitchen was originally enclosed by walls and disconnected from the living spaces (A). The team proposed a scheme that took down two of these walls opening up the kitchen to the living spaces and allowing natural light to flood in the kitchen (B). In this scheme the team also optimized the spatial organization of the kitchen. The microwave was moved into the mixing area (9) and extended the counter along that same wall to allow more countertop space (6) and storage (1). The breakfast table (2) was moved closer to living room where more of the social activities take place. The serving center (3) was maintained where originally desired but the cook center (4) was shifted in order to tighten the “work triangle.” The work triangle is the relationship of the sink to the refrigerator to the cook center. A tightened work triangle creates a more efficient kitchen workflow. The client””s vision for the floor plan flattened the work triangle and extended the distance to the cook center. Lastly, BC3 moved the wine and beverage center to (10) and (11) closer to the dining area that it would serve. This freed up the closet (12) for additional household storage.

 

(A) Existing Plan

 

 

 

 

 

 

(B) Proposed Plan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-PSB

Sustainable Design in Miami

http://www.bcnumber3.com

Prime Air Win!

 

 

 

 

 

www.heico.com/PrimeAir-PrimeAirEurope

 

 

Building Center No 3 wins Prime Air project! Prime Air is a supplier of quality aircraft parts to the worldwide commercial, regional and corporate aircraft aftermarket. BC3 is now designing the company””””s  headquarters located in Miami-Fl. The scope of work includes redesigning the entire interior floor plan,  some exterior alterations and an addition of a landscape component. The program will include office spaces, conference rooms, a fitness room, an outdoor patio, and a warehouse storage area. This project is up and running by a team of two architects, an interior designer and a landscape architect.

 

-PSB

Sustainable Design in Miami

http://www.bcnumber3.com

 

Completed BHC Drawings

 

Building Center No 3 has now completed, signed and sealed the drawings for BHC project. This condominium unit””””s interior spaces were completely relocated and redesigned to the clients lifestyle. The client expressed a desire for a serene Asian theme which dictated our choice of a neutral color scheme and materials selection. The client disliked the original kitchen location since she enjoys being closer to her family while she prepares the family””””s meals. The kitchen was relocated to the West wall of the living room where she can have an open view and closer connection to the entertainment spaces. The original kitchen space was used to give the family an informal dinning area. BC3 was able to take advantage of solar orientation by adding glass to the guest bedroom wall to bring natural light to the living room. The client wanted to have more views of the ocean and for that reason all the views were directed to water. The balcony faces North and East and the master bedroom faces East having a front view of the water edge.The master bedroom vanity was also separated from other bathroom activities allowing the client to have a defined space for grooming. The project will now begin construction phase and within two months it will ready for move in!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-PSB

Sustainable Design in Miami

http://www.bcnumber3.com

 

“I think living walls have become a substitute for having any ideas.”

http://bit.ly/pFdvNv

This article on Archinect by Brendan Sheehan critiques the proliferation of green living walls used on tall urban buildings as facade treatment without careful consideration of key growth concerns:

  • Heat stress from adjacent building materials when deployed on the facade
  • Change of altitude (e.g., 27 story green wall is a quizzical application)
  • Die-back (gradual dying of plant shoots)
  • Changing growth patterns
  • Re-seeding
  • Scale and spatial associations

Image from article

He closes the article with a quote from Sean Griffiths (director at Fashion Architecture Taste)

I think living walls have become a substitute for having any ideas.

 

-JT

Sustainable Design in Miami

http://www.bcnumber3.com

Building Center No. 3 Joins land8.net

Building Center No. 3 joins land8.net

to build our landscape design street cred and give our landscape designer Anaclaudia Magalhães another forum to showcase our skills fusing sustainability, landscape design and architecture. We will be uploading newly completed competition entries onto Land8 in the upcoming weeks. We will keep you posted.

 

-JT

Sustainable Design in Miami