herzog & de meuron: jade signature miami breaks ground

herzog & de meuron: jade signature miami breaks ground, model photos emerge
image © silvia ros
image via miami curbed

the herzog & de meuron-designed jade signature miami tower has officially broken ground. construction site photos show the leveled foundation and the beginnings of a concrete slab. situated in the miami enclave of sunny isles beach, the curvy-columned high-rise will contend with florida’s below-sea-level limestone base– an obstacle that has affected the feasibility of deep subterranean construction for fear of impacting the all-important aquifer, itself the largest, oldest and deepest water table in the southeastern united states. despite the lack of a groundbreaking ceremony, a model of the building’s first few storeys and resort amenity level have been unveiled. the maquette is a significant articulation of the porte-cochère and three circular staircases that will connect the tower to the street as well as the beginnings of an explanation of the underground parking, a feature that will apparently provide a pioneering below-grade construction method. the truncated model also indicates that perhaps the project delivery method is an architect-led-design-build. such a strategy could mean that the anticipated place-making edifice will enliven the miami skyline sooner than expected.

view of the pools and resort amenity level
image © silvia ros
image via miami curbed

image © silvia ros
image via miami curbed

the model articulates the tower’s relationship to the street
image © silvia ros
image via miami curbed

ample balconies characterize the amenity storey
image © silvia ros
image via miami curbed

image © silvia ros
image via miami curbed

the unveiled models show the building’s covered, portico-like driveway
image © silvia ros

models are tangible realizations of the ground level
image courtesy of jade signature

florida’s foundations have long posed a challenge to builders
image courtesy of jade signature

a limestone based has often prevented deep, below-grade construction
image courtesy of jade signature

view of the beachfront construction site
image courtesy of jade signature