Slade Architecture create this weekend getaway located in South Beach, Miami was designed for a young couple. They wanted a place that was very “Miami”. As a vacation home, the apartment is occupied for a few days at a time by the client and occasionally another guest. The renovation reflects the sporadic, temporary occupation, maximizes the ocean views, and creates a relaxed, changeable, informal, open atmosphere.
Existing Space The existing space included two bedrooms, a living dining area, two and a half baths, and an entry foyer. The use materials and colors that suggest a continuation of the interior into the exterior, blurring the boundary between interior and exterior space.
Finish Materials In order to further accentuate the view and to internalize the ocean and sand we used a custom Resin Floor with a subtle blue color and an embedded sand-like texture. The surface of the floor is smooth, slightly resilient and glossy to reflect the view and the sky outside. Translucent and slightly iridescent curtains bring the blue into the apartment and allow varying levels of privacy/screening. The glossy white finish on the two transformable walls allows the reflections of the ocean views to dematerialize these perpendicular boundaries somewhat- joining the interior to the exterior. In contrast to the dematerialized ocean view, the view towards the interior side of the apartment emphasizes solidity and material presence. The materials become less reflective and richer in texture and color. Dark natural rosewood paneling, warmer (red, orange and brown) colors, mosaics and flat finishes provide a solid physical anchor to the bright ephemeral finishes on the ocean side.
