Architect Jean Nouvel designs flood-resilient Monad Terrace in Miami Beach

A new rendering of Miami’s Monad Terrace, a 54-unit luxury condo complex designed by architect Jean Nouvel, has been released, according to Curbed Miami.

The building is notable for its base: a large infinity pool which Nouvel has dubbed a “reflection machine.”

The lagoon is “almost as if a wedge of the Everglades had been lifted up and transplanted to the shores of Biscayne Bay,” writes Alastair Gordon of the Miami Herald. The pool will be a naturally filtered environment with vegetation like giant ferns, spider plants, palms, and palmettos.

The idea is that the pool will make the complex flood-resilient, and better able to adapt to climate change and rising sea levels. Also, a vegetation screen will run up one side of the building.

Curbed Miami reported in February that the project’s developer, JDS Development Group, proposed to build Monad Terrace to 149 feet, just one foot lower than the area’s height limitation. Instead of 16 stories, the building would have 14, but with higher ceilings. Plans also call for two penthouses and an underground parking area.

Kobi Karp Architecture & Interior Design is also on the Building Team. The plan was approved by the Miami Beach Design Review Board last week. Units are expected to be between 2,000 to 3,481 sf, and sales will begin in the fall.

This is Nouvel's first project for Miami.

Monad Terrace. Rendering: Kobi Karp/JDS Development, via Curbed Miami

Climate change is having a dramatic impact on urban design, in terms of planning, materials, occupant use, location, and the long-term effect of buildings on the environment. Joining BD+C's John Caulfield to discuss this topic are two experts from the Boston-based CBT Architects: Kishore Varanasi, a Principal and director of urban design; and Devanshi Purohit, an Associate Principal.

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