The Ritz-Carlton, Miami
Ritz-Carlton Residences
Miami / 2014-2020
The Ritz-Carlton, Miami, located on Sunny Isles, is a luxurious urban oasis with 212 serviced apartments. The building is inspired by the waves and sand dunes, like a sculpture etched by the ocean. The top of the building is like an opening cut out by the sea breeze, creating a top-of-the-line suite that connects to the skyline.
The southern tip of Miami's Sunny Isles is home to one of Florida's most pristine beaches, and the waves and dunes that surround it are the inspiration for the design of The Ritz-Carlton Apartments miami – on an approximately 8,900-square-meter beachfront site, this 74,000-square-meter luxury skyscraper elegantly stands, facing the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the coastal waterways in the west.
The 50-storey tower contains a total of 212 residential units as well as a spa and fitness center, beach bar, business conference center, and multiple swimming pools. The design offers spectacular sea views from each living unit and creates a top-of-the-envelope suite with open-air sea views at the top of the tower.
Miami Ritz-Carlton Apartments by the Sea
"Nature is a region's most valuable asset, and its value is what inspires architectural design."
The waterfront tower resembles a sculpture etched by the ocean – its plan is designed as an asymmetrical convergence curve, as if the traditional four-sided tower has been smoothed out by the wash of the sea.
At the same time, this smooth and curved plane is also shaped like the infinite symbol "∞", symbolizing the building's infinite view towards the ocean, and more metaphorically the sea breeze, waves or beaches, transforming the hard architectural form into an organic and vital image.
Unlimited views in the building
Top suite on the top floor of the building
The façade of the building also appears to have been etched by the ocean.
The thin horizontal fins on the façade flow with the flow of the plane curve, attracting people's eyes to continue to swim on the surface of the building, further emphasizing the fluidity of the form.
At the closest point to the sky, a corner of the building is opened by the sea breeze – a soft curve slides southward, creating an opening in the top 5 floors of the building, forming a series of terraces.
The terrace is home to a sky garden and infinity pool, opening the top-level suite on the top floor to the sky and incorporating the expansive exterior space into the backyard of the residence.
A fading gradient from the ocean to the sky
The Ritz-Carlton Residences, with its fluid, lifelike form, has become one of the hallmarks of the Miami skyline. At the same time, the undulating form also gives the building a "gradient" aesthetic.
The large glass curtain wall of the building façade reflects the magnificent scenery around it, and reflects the change of scenery from sea to land, from ground to sky. As the height continues to rise, the building gradually becomes transparent to the blue sky, until the opening to the top, the building finally connects to the sky and disappears into the sky.
Curves are designed for ground-level landscapes
On the ground, the design also uses a dramatic curved language.
One can slowly ascend the driveway through lush tropical gardens to the iconic porch entrance and enjoy the ocean and beach from the most vantage point on the waterfront, before heading down the well-designed staircase and promenade from the lobby to the swimming pool, gardens and beach.
This upward and downward process is a classic design strategy that emphasizes the process of touring the space and provides people with a richer spatial experience.
The Ritz-Carlton, Miami - Indoor
Project information credits
Project Name: The Ritz-Carlton Apartments Miami
Project time: 2014-2020
Total GFA: 75,900 ㎡ / 816,000 sf
Building Function: Hotel
Architectural Design: ARQ Architects
Interior Design: ARQ Architects
Landscape Architecture: ARQ Architects
Source, Copyright: ARQ Architects