S O U N D S C A P E
QUICK NOTES
DESIGNED BY: West8
LOCATION: Miami, FL
TYPE: Urban Plaza
YEAR DESIGNED: 2011
NOTABLE DESIGN ELEMENTS: Unique pergolas, custom seat walls, mix of organic and geometric lines
long story short
A part of the New World Symphony Campus of architect Frank Gehry, Miami Soundscape is an intimate 3-acre park and public plaza, celebrated as one of the best outdoor theaters in America. A theatrical grounds to the campus, the wavering pathways, fuchsia surprises, cloud-like pergolas, and unique details makes for an unforgettable space in the heart of Florida.
once upon a time
Built in 2011, Soundscape/Lincoln Plaza is the exterior addition to the New World Symphony in Miami, Florida. An extension of the the building itself, the geometry of the park has been designed to create multiple spaces within, allowing and encouraging individuals and groups to co-habitat in the place. Simultaneously, Soundscape has been thoughtfully and artfully designed to become the extension of the art world into the outside world, by providing seating so that one of the building’s walls could serve as an outdoor screening space, actively engaging the park in the cultural and musical events of the Symphony.
The fuchsia crape myrtles have found home in their surrounding pergolas, creating an oasis as one enters the park, and walks through. The white concrete seem to have been artfully chosen to replicate the beaches of Miami, adding to the brightness of the park.
Looking up from underneath the pergola, one captures the floating clouds from the geometric shaped windows
A the truly unique shape, material, and color of the pergolas can take visitors to another dimension. The careful curvature of these elements can make one feel as though the crape myrtles have been gracefully held up for them to walk around the park. Especially placed at the entrance, these creation are a surprising element of invitation that deliberately marks the park.
The pergolas seem light in material, yet grounded in earth. Intertwined with the bright crape myrtles, they two seemingly foreign elements work well together to create an unforgettable scene and experience.
Pergolas at the entrance of the park (looking from the inside out)
The beautiful organic stones have been placed on the seat walls to casually invite individuals to pause and take a moment in the park, while adding a visual element to the long curvilinear concrete wall that wraps around
The size and geometric yet organic shape of the ‘tree pits’ feel as though the visitor is the most important part of the space. The trees and pergolas have gracefully made way for anyone to walk through and be a part of the park.
Sources:
** All photos by author unless otherwise noted.
