MVRDV's colorful Miami design prioritizes human scale
Woma project is designed as a mosaic reflecting Wynwood's art and fashion identity.
1From industrial zone to art hub
Designed by MVRDV, the Woma building rises in Miami's Wynwood district on a former industrial site. The area has recently transformed into an art center famous for murals and entertainment venues. The 163-residence project is developed by Uribe Schwarzkopf, known for notable constructions in Quito. Designed for the Wynwood Norte community, the building symbolizes the area's urban regeneration. Its location bridges Wynwood's artistic past with its creative future.
2Human scale through color blocking
MVRDV divided the facade into color blocks to break the building's massive appearance. Red, blue, yellow and green tones create a textile-inspired design. Founding partner Jacob van Rijs states this approach brings the structure to human scale. Wide staircases and arched entrances enhance pedestrian access. The facade also features scalloped metallic mesh panels that add texture. These design choices make the imposing structure feel approachable and integrated.
3Golden details for fashion designer
The building will house the headquarters of Miami fashion designer Rosita Hurtado. Her section's entrance will be marked with gold scale-like elements inspired by her collections. The building's stepped form and cantilevers reflect MVRDV's 'stacked blocks' vision. Sloping structural elements create jagged exterior profiles. These architectural features give the building its distinctive silhouette against Miami's skyline.
4Community-focused living spaces
The project is designed to be neighborhood-oriented both visually and functionally. A central plaza allows visitors to traverse the building. Street-level arched entrances and retail spaces encourage community interaction. Green roofs become social areas, complemented by a rooftop pool and pickleball court. Uribe Schwarzkopf CEO Joseph Schwarzkopf describes the building as a 'mosaic'. Every design element serves both aesthetic and social purposes.
5Mosaic reflecting Wynwood's identity
Schwarzkopf summarizes the project's philosophy: 'Cities are made of relationships, not concrete and glass.' Woma embodies Wynwood's deep connections to art, craft and fashion. The design team emphasizes the building could only exist on this specific block. Colorful facades and varied materials manifest the area's creative energy. The project celebrates the neighborhood's multicultural character through thoughtful architecture.
6MVRDV's global colorful legacy
The studio applied similar approaches to American neighborhoods' patchwork nature in their first US project - New York's Harlem Radio Tower and Hotel. In Shenzhen, China, they experimented more boldly with different colors and materials for a cultural complex. Their Rotterdam 'new world wonder' design features bulbous volumes covered in greenery. MVRDV consistently blends local identity with global design language across continents.
7Sustainable and social infrastructure
The Woma project incorporates abundant green spaces and social amenities. Rooftop gardens and terraces enhance climatic comfort while improving energy efficiency. Pedestrian connections and transit access promote sustainable mobility. Diverse housing types cater to various income groups. The design aims for LEED certification and seeks to reduce the area's carbon footprint. Every sustainability feature serves both environmental and social purposes.
8Rediscovering community spirit in architecture
The Woma building reintroduces the increasingly lost human scale in contemporary architecture. MVRDV's approach offers a model for preserving local identity in urban regeneration projects. It reminds us that architects build not just structures, but social connections. Wynwood's creative energy materializes through this design. Woma stands as an inspirational example for 21st century urban living, where design fosters community.