The design by Miami-based firm Oppenheim Architecture was selected by Crescent Heights, one of the nation’s largest developers, for the 40,000-sf Whole Foods Market to be constructed on Alton Road and 19th Street in Miami Beach. The project recently received Planning and Design Review Board approval by the City of Miami Beach.
Helping satiate the city’s appetite for elevated architecture expression set forth by projects created by Herzog & de Meuron, Frank Gehry, Zaha Hadid, Norman Foster and Rem Koolhaas, the new Whole Foods Market designed by Chad Oppenheim attempts to blur the boundaries between traditional and contemporary notions of place.
The design for the Whole Food Market features a grid of white concrete representing a pure expression of structure and space, establishing a pedestrian loggia at the ground level, and a floating garden above that screens the parking.
Veiled behind a dimensional and diaphanous mesh supported within the super structure, the flora, selected by Urban Robot, becomes a ghosted memory of the native landscape that was Miami Beach, some of which can actually be foraged.
The structure, while striking in its purity and innovation, is also somehow comfortable and familiar. The harmonious rhythm of columns and beams, distorts the perception of scale, making the large building friendlier to the neighborhood.
Oppenheim Architecture worked closely with Whole Foods to activate the majority of the public facing glass façades by inverting and celebrating the typical back of house operations such as baking, other food preparation and stores within stores. A large, landscaped plaza at the corner of the site is sure to serve as a major public gathering space of the city.
“Every great city needs a great market, and Miami Beach, while having many super markets is in need a market that is super," said Chad Oppenheim, Principal and Lead Designer of Oppenheim Architecture. "So we began by looking at the markets of ancient civilizations—Greece, Rome, those of the Islamic world, and even the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlán—when markets served as the center of communal life. We were inspired by their effortless elegance, logical practicality and ability to support public life.”
Related Stories
Engineers | Nov 27, 2023
Kimley-Horn eliminates the guesswork of electric vehicle charger site selection
Private businesses and governments can now choose their new electric vehicle (EV) charger locations with data-driven precision. Kimley-Horn, the national engineering, planning, and design consulting firm, today launched TREDLite EV, a cloud-based tool that helps organizations develop and optimize their EV charger deployment strategies based on the organization’s unique priorities.
Retail Centers | Nov 15, 2023
Should retail developers avoid high crime areas?
For retailers resolute to operating in high crime areas, design elements exist to mitigate losses and potentially deter criminal behavior.
Retail Centers | Nov 7, 2023
Omnichannel experiences, mixed-use development among top retail design trends for 2023-2024
Retailer survival continues to hinge on retail design trends like blending online and in-person shopping and mixing retail with other building types, such as offices and residential.
Sponsored | | Oct 24, 2023
Dark Deliveries in Retail Stores
Wireless Access Control Allows for Safe Deliveries During Retail Off-Hours
Adaptive Reuse | Sep 19, 2023
Transforming shopping malls into 21st century neighborhoods
As we reimagine the antiquated shopping mall, Marc Asnis, AICP, Associate, Perkins&Will, details four first steps to consider.
Retail Centers | Sep 13, 2023
Stars are aligned for growth in luxury retail sector
JLL's Luxury report says pent-up demand and lack of available selling space are driving this market.
Adaptive Reuse | Sep 13, 2023
Houston's first innovation district is established using adaptive reuse
Gensler's Vince Flickinger shares the firm's adaptive reuse of a Houston, Texas, department store-turned innovation hub.
Giants 400 | Sep 12, 2023
Top 75 Retail Sector Engineering and Engineering Architecture (EA) Firms for 2023
Kimley-Horn, Henderson Engineers, Jacobs, and EXP head BD+C's ranking of the nation's largest retail building engineering and engineering/architecture (EA) firms for 2023, as reported in the 2023 Giants 400 Report. Note: This ranking factors revenue for all retail buildings work, including big box stores, cineplexes, entertainment centers, malls, restaurants, strip centers, and theme parks.
Giants 400 | Sep 12, 2023
Top 80 Retail Sector Contractors and Construction Management Firms for 2023
Whiting-Turner, ARCO Construction, Swinerton, and PCL top BD+C's ranking of the nation's largest retail building contractors and construction management (CM) firms for 2023, as reported in the 2023 Giants 400 Report. Note: This ranking factors revenue for all retail buildings work, including big box stores, cineplexes, entertainment centers, malls, restaurants, strip centers, and theme parks.
Giants 400 | Sep 11, 2023
Top 140 Retail Sector Architecture and Architecture Engineering (AE) Firms for 2023
Gensler, Arcadis, Core States Group, WD Partners, and NORR top BD+C's ranking of the nation's largest retail sector architecture and architecture engineering (AE) firms for 2023, as reported in the 2023 Giants 400 Report. Note: This ranking factors revenue for all retail buildings work, including big box stores, cineplexes, entertainment centers, malls, restaurants, strip centers, and theme parks.