#miamidesign

After building a chain of movie theaters in Cincinnati, Alsace native Henri Levi (or Levy) moved to Miami Beach in 1922. In 1926 he undertook a 2-year period of 24-hour-a-day dredging to create Normandy Isle from the natural swampy land mass in Biscayne Bay west of 71st street theretofore called Warner-Meade Island. Extending over roughly 83 acres and being home for over 9,000 residents, has provided Miami with a rich architectonic heritage. Normandy Isles Historic District has some excellent examples of Mediterranean Revival, Classical Revival, Masonry Vernacular, Minimal Traditional, Art Deco and Moderne. Most of the buildings were part of the postwar modern style better known as “Miami Modern” or “MiMo”. 7300 Trou... More

After completing Cult Gaia’s New York flagship store, founder Jasmin Larian entrusted Sugarhouse to design her Miami flagship as well. Tasked with creating a concept that honors both the brand and the landscape, Sugarhouse sought inspiration from temple architecture, Larian’s Persian heritage, and Henry Rousseau’s painting The Dream. Kris Tamburello The first noticeable reference is the exterior. The A-Frame structure breaks from the typically flat architecture of Miami’s Design District. Taking its shape from local casitas, the store is immediately familiar and welcoming. Covering the façade is an 1800-piece tile mural by artist Michael Chandler. Sugarhouse commissioned Chandler to create the hand-pain... More