Parking garages are usually unseen, covered up, poorly lit and uncelebrated
architectural structures. However the 1111 parking garage by Herzog and de Meuron
celebrates the architectural necessity of providing parking structures in the densely
populated community of Miami Beach. The structure celebrates its flexible relationship to
the adjacent pedestrian Lincoln Road Mall while creating a civic space and identity for
The top level of the garage that the public can access, I would consider a civic space for Miami Beach. The space acts like a stage for our public lives with a backdrop and 360 degree view of Miami Beach. It’s a space where different cultures mix, people from different economic backgrounds can interact and friends can socialize at events and parties. This space is recognized and valued by the community for its unique experience and how it relates to the larger context of Miami Beach.
1111 is not the standard parking garage that seeks to hide cars from view, but rather celebrates the automobile and its culture. It openly puts the automobile on display for the surrounding pedestrian traffic of Lincoln Road and Alton Road to view. The intention of celebrating the car is relevant because in Miami Beach there are many automobile enthusiasts that like flashy cars.
1 comment:
You made a good point about incorporated the Miamians’ desire to display their passion for a car fashion.Unlike a typical garage, 1111, due it popularity, attracts many people and the vehicle can be seen as much as on the street. That is a true when you are inside the parking. My question is: can you see the cars displaying from the street as much as the items displaying by the shops on the ground floor? Is it any relationship between those two? It also would be interesting to find out if there are any drivers that prefer to park at 1111 Lincoln for that reason.
You also mentioned about the flexible internal relationship of the structure with the adjacent context and the public realm. Can you expand on this topic?
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