The expansion and renovation of the 1,435,000-sf Miami Beach Convention Center has recently completed.
The project was designed with the goal of making Miami Beach Convention Center the most technologically-advanced center in the U.S. and to provide upgraded show needs and increase the potential for the city to market the center on an international basis. Achieving this goal involved complex renovations and replacements of virtually all the building’s electrical and mechanical operating systems.
Courtesy Fentress Architects.
The project includes a new 60,000-sf ballroom and 127,000 sf of new meeting spaces. The completed project will accommodate 500,000 sf of exhibit hall space with increased power and improved IT connectivity capacities, increased ballroom and meeting areas, and renovated back-of-house spaces. Additionally, over six acres of parking lot space has been transformed into space for a public park and landscaping and infrastructure improvements, including a tropical garden, game lawn, shaded areas, veterans plaza, pavilion, and a water feature.
Courtesy Fentress Architects.
The renovation concepts were inspired by modern designs incorporating natural elements of the ocean, beach, and underwater life. Waves, manta rays, and coral reefs were studied as part of the design process. The building envelope is designed with linear forms that create a curvilinear undulation inspired by ocean waves. The facade has hurricane resistant connections meant to withstand even the largest storms. The project was built with the future in mind by using steel construction with composite metal decks for raised floors in the case of rising sea levels. The interior design finishes emulates receding water, sea foam, and patterns relating to various typed of local coral reef.
The completed project earned LEED Silver certification.
Photo: Robin HIll.
Related Stories
| Oct 2, 2014
Budget busters: Report details 24 of the world's most obscenely over-budget construction projects
Montreal's Olympic Stadium and the Sydney Opera House are among the landmark projects to bust their budgets, according to a new interactive graph by Podio.
| Sep 24, 2014
Architecture billings see continued strength, led by institutional sector
On the heels of recording its strongest pace of growth since 2007, there continues to be an increasing level of demand for design services signaled in the latest Architecture Billings Index.
| Sep 22, 2014
4 keys to effective post-occupancy evaluations
Perkins+Will's Janice Barnes covers the four steps that designers should take to create POEs that provide design direction and measure design effectiveness.
| Sep 22, 2014
Sound selections: 12 great choices for ceilings and acoustical walls
From metal mesh panels to concealed-suspension ceilings, here's our roundup of the latest acoustical ceiling and wall products.
| Sep 9, 2014
Using Facebook to transform workplace design
As part of our ongoing studies of how building design influences human behavior in today’s social media-driven world, HOK’s workplace strategists had an idea: Leverage the power of social media to collect data about how people feel about their workplaces and the type of spaces they need to succeed.
| Sep 3, 2014
Ranked: Top local government sector AEC firms [2014 Giants 300 Report]
STV, HOK, and Turner top BD+C's rankings of the nation's largest local government design and construction firms, as reported in the 2014 Giants 300 Report.
| Sep 3, 2014
New designation launched to streamline LEED review process
The LEED Proven Provider designation is designed to minimize the need for additional work during the project review process.
| Sep 2, 2014
Ranked: Top green building sector AEC firms [2014 Giants 300 Report]
AECOM, Gensler, and Turner top BD+C's rankings of the nation's largest green design and construction firms.
| Aug 21, 2014
Ranked: Top convention center AEC firms [2014 Giants 300 Report]
Gensler, AECOM, and Hunt Construction top BD+C's rankings of the nation's largest convention center design and construction firms.
| Aug 19, 2014
HOK to acquire 360 Architecture
Expected to be finalized by the end of October, the acquisition of 360 Architecture will provide immediate benefits to both firms’ clients worldwide as HOK re-enters the sports and entertainment market.
