A R C H I T E C T S
Miami Floating Housing
Vision
How can we design solutions that not only create affordable housing but also make it resilient to the looming problem of sea-level rise in Miami?
Our housing proposal is inspired by Mangroves – their ability to attenuate storm surges, sustain through rhizomatic root structures, capture the sun’s energy, harvest rainwater and provide shade for diverse life forms.
The affordable housing is organized in a meandering field that allows tidal flows and buffers storm surges. Root-like piers brace against winds & currents. 31 floating multifamily houses of 5 types create individuation. 88 one-bedroom, 66 two-bedroom and 55 three-bedroom apartments, each with multiple exposures, offer diversity. All houses have boat docks, common laundry, roof gardens and grey water recycling.
An elevated pedestrian/cycling network links all units and doubles as utility circuit. It connects to Little Haiti & Little River via N 64th Street and bridges Legion Park to Picnic Island. Community buildings provide grocery store, fitness center and cultural spaces.
6 Green Islands offer playgrounds and swimming pools, with reverse osmosis desalination systems below.
Photovoltaic canopies flutter over the housing, collect rainwater and give shade.
The housing is a prototype deployed along the coast to buffer mainland communities from storm surges. As sea level rises 5-6 feet a 2nd band of floating housing would be built to house displaced residents, maintaining connection to ground.
