BAYOU BY THE BAY

Designed by French architect Jean Nouvel, the Monad Terrace is a bayfront residential apartment complex set amidst a lush man-made lagoon that perfectly reflects the tropical environs of its Miami location.

Set on the west side of Miami overlooking Biscayne Bay, the Monad Terrace is comprised of 13 small private lots that are connected in a single elongated site upon which will stand two towers – 14 storeys and 7 storeys respectively – housing 54 separate residential units.

Nicknamed the Reflection Machine, Monad Terrace “draws inspiration from nature”, according to Nouvel. The exterior of the towers are to be lined in reflective translucent and porous metallic shields to offer solar shade – hence the nickname. A greenwall comprised of flora such as Spanish Moss and Tillandsia will wrap around the residences, cascading over balconies and filtering natural light, offering a shield from the heat and providing privacy. But it is the man-made lagoon at the centre of the project that seems to capture the imagination.

A giant infinity pool will be set between the towers, stretching from West Avenue to the Biscayne Bay side of the development. Rendered as a man-made lagoon the pool will function as a naturally filtered ecosystem that supports the integrated landscaping. To connect the scheme to the location and encourage community interaction, a public-access pathway will run through the south side of the property to connect it from West Avenue to Baywalk.

Speaking of his Miami development, Nouvel is quoted as saying “my ‘personal vision’ comes from the very needs of communities, the climate, the history and the culture of a city or of a neighborhood.

“All these elements belong to a specific context. This context guides all the decisions I took in Miami as it guides all the projects I build.”

Though only his first project to be built in Miami, the French architect is none the less well known globally for a range of high profile projects. In Australia his One Central Park building in Sydney has already become a well-known landmark, and Melbourne’s 383 La Trobe Street, currently under construction, is another of Nouvel’s highly anticipated structures.

Mondad Terrace is to be developed by JDS Development group. Sales are set to start late in 2016.