Project: Ocean Drive Apartment
Architecture and Interiors: mwworks
General Contractor: Dowbuilt
Local Contractor: Woolems Inc
Engineer (MEP): Shamrock Engineering
Engineer (Low Volt): Visual Acoustics
Engineer (Structural): PCS Structural Solutions
Lighting: Niteo
Furnishings: Studio DIAA; Matt Anthony Designs
Location: Miami Beach, Florida
Area: 6,112 square-foot
Photo Credits: Kevin Scott
Project Overview
Ocean Drive Apartment, designed by mwworks, is a stunning 6,112-square-foot single-floor condominium unit situated within a new residential tower in Miami Beach, Florida. Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, this luxurious apartment was crafted for a Seattle-based family of six who have deep roots in the panhandle and sought to return home. This down-to-the-slab renovation ingeniously combines two smaller units into a spacious five-bedroom retreat, reflecting both the coastal environment and the clients’ sophisticated tastes.
Design Inspiration
The initial design conversations centered around the dynamic views and the unique quality of light specific to this latitude. The design philosophy aimed to enhance these natural phenomena, allowing the interior architecture to serve as both a canvas and a frame. A simple yet powerful diagram was conceived: a solid, shadowy service core surrounded by light, elemental volumes.
Core and Service Elements
The core of the apartment, clad in dark tropical hardwood, emphasizes mass and craftsmanship. This central hub houses essential services and infrastructure, concealed by a dropped ceiling that doubles as a heavy wood raft, creating a subtle sense of compression when transitioning between public spaces. Walls of solid wood slabs and matching wide plank floors contribute to the overall sense of unity and groundedness within the space.
Perimeter and Private Spaces
Around the core, the elemental bedroom volumes are finished in pale, sandy tones of hand-troweled plaster. This choice reflects natural light deep into the interior, enhancing the apartment’s airy feel. Doors designed as heavy slabs with integrated closer hardware create trimless jambs and minimalist hardware, reducing visual clutter. The irregular plaster surface captures the changing light throughout the day, adding softness and warmth to private spaces.
Entry and Moyo Wall
Directly opposite the elevator landing, a small alcove marks the entryway. The ‘moyo’ wall, inspired by vernacular masonry ventilation blocks, is bathed in natural light, mimicking an adjacent courtyard. Varied concrete mixes and interior geometries in each block lend informality to a pattern that shifts across the assembly. Above the ceiling, a programmable LED array tracks the sun, adjusting light temperature throughout the day and providing soft moonlight overnight to illuminate the adjacent powder room.
Gathering Spaces and Material Palette
At the east and west ends of the unit, large-format concrete slab floor tiles reflect light onto plaster ceilings, offering a cool surface underfoot. A clear hierarchy is established, with the structural concrete deck overlapping the glass window wall before stepping down to a plaster ceiling. Unfinished concrete columns introduce another layer of context, revealing the intervention’s relationship with the larger building structure.
Accents and Details
Sheer curtains catch onshore breezes, while bright textiles, woven baskets, and patterned floor coverings introduce a layer of softness and color. Shades of blue, orange, and red punctuate the neutral canvas, echoing the native flora and fauna of southern Florida. The apartment is equally adept at hosting guests and accommodating sandy feet, effortlessly blending comfort with elegance.
Conclusion
Ocean Drive Apartment by mwworks exemplifies the fusion of thoughtful design and meticulous craftsmanship. This residence masterfully captures the tones, textures, and tropical climate of Miami Beach while incorporating a sense of permanence and timelessness not typically associated with South Beach. By emphasizing natural light, elemental volumes, and detailed finishes, the apartment offers a sophisticated yet welcoming retreat that seamlessly integrates with its stunning coastal surroundings.
Fabricators
Carved Countertops: The Vero Stone
Plaster (walls, master headboard): Cathy Connor Studio C
Wood (casework, floor, ceiling): Dowbuilt
Metal (casework, hardware, patinas): Dowbuilt
Interior Lanscape Garden: Formaneta
Custom Concrete: John Dietrich
Metals: Argent
Commodities
Concrete Tile Floor: Concrete Collaborative
Ceiling Fixtures: Eden
Appliances: Wolf/Subzero
Plumbing: Cifial
Dining Table: BDDW
Dining lamp: Lindsey Adelman
Wall Switches: mwworks
Plumbing Fixtures: La’azar Arencibia
