OMA's Faena Forum enjoys sparkling opening in Miami
by Kim Megson | 01 Dec 2016
Credit: Bruce Damonte
– Shohei Shigematsu
Faena Forum, the new cultural core of the Faena District in Miami Beach, has opened to the public in time for the Design Miami global forum.
A procession down the city’s Collins Avenue congregated in the Forum's new canopy plaza and witnessed the official opening of the complex’s three buildings, which have all been designed by architecture studio OMA.
To celebrate, a dance performance with scenography by the building’s lead designer Shohei Shigematsu was held.
Formed of a cylindrical and cubic structure, connected by a central assembly hall, the complex offers flexible spaces for dance, theatre, arts and debate space as well as hotels and condominiums. The exterior public plaza along Collins Avenue has been formed by removing a wedge from the front of the building.
“Our creative partnership with Faena began with identity research and has evolved into urban design, programming, building-making and scenography,” said Shigematsu. “These diverse investigations had a profound impact on the Forum's ability to accommodate the programmatic demands of functioning as a new typology for interaction."
The Forum is part of a billion dollar waterfront project that also includes new residential properties by Foster + Partners and the revamp of the art deco Savoy Hotel – with interiors by film director Baz Luhrman and Oscar-winning costume designer Catherine Martin, and a spa developed by consultant Inge Theron.
Faena has previously described the overall scheme as “a new kind of cultural enterprise” that “encourages thinkers and practitioners from across a range of disciplines to collaborate and creatively collide in ways that push their practices and produce new works, new experiences, and new ideas.”
It has been a busy few weeks for OMA. They have received approval for a sports and leisure district in Rotterdam, submitted their plans for the Factory cultural centre in Manchester and celebrated the opening of the Design Museum’s new home – for which they led the design – in London.
OMA Faena Forum Alan Faena Miami Beach Design Miami architecture design
A procession marched to the Forum's public plaza to celebrate the opening of the cultural complex Credit: Bruce Damonte
The space can be used for any number of cultural and educational activities Credit: Iwan Baan
The Forum is part of a billion dollar waterfront project that also includes new residential properties by Foster + Partners and the revamp of the art deco Savoy Hotel Credit: Iwan Baan
The Forum looks completely different depending on the angle of approach Credit: Philippe Ruault
Formed of a cylindrical and cubic structure, connected by a central assembly hall, the complex offers flexible spaces for dance, theatre, arts and debate space Credit: Iwan Baan
The exteriors and interiors have been designed by architecture studio OMA Credit: Iwan Baan
Hotels and condominiums are housed in the complex, which is a culturally-inspired real-estate initiative Credit: Iwan Baan
Faena has previously described the overall scheme as 'a new kind of cultural enterprise' Credit: Iwan Baan
Credit: Iwan Baan
Credit: Bruce Damonte
A site-specific dance was help to celebrate the opening of the Forum Credit: Bruce Damonte
Credit: Philippe Ruault.
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Faena Forum, the new cultural core of the Faena District in Miami Beach, has opened to the public in time for the Design Miami global forum. A procession down the city’s Collins Avenue congregated in the Forum's new canopy plaza and witnessed the official opening of the complex’s three buildings, which have all been designed by architecture studio OMA. To celebrate, a dance performance with scenography by the building’s lead
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