miami architecture school opens warped concrete studios by arquitectonica

international firm arquitectonica extends its long-standing commitment to the university of miami school of architecture with the design of the ‘thomas p. murphy design studio building.’ the 20,000 square-foot LEED certified studio building serves as a laboratory and collaborative space for the next generation of architects. the exposed structure of glass and concrete serves as an expressive teaching mechanism by displaying the basic elements of modern architecture, construction and sustainability.

image by robin hill

arquitectonica designed the building fundamentally as an oversized shed with a vaulted roof suspended by narrow steel columns and a few fixed walls. this roof structure provides a sense of openness and allows natural light to permeate the interior. the site is linked to the campus by the miami metrorail. a single, curved concrete wall faces this main public transit entrance as well as the ‘jorge m. perez architecture center,’ designed by architect leon krier and the heart of the architecture school. this southern wall peels away to echo the krier building’s arched portico and octagonal auditorium. acting as a symbolic gesture of welcome, the curve invites students to approach the building while softening the building’s rectilinear plan.

image by robin hill

the thin-shell concrete roof structure is a visually dramatic moment. the slab warps slightly, seemingly melting in the miami heat, to form a gentle arc that adds complexity to the silhouette. besides affording effective shading over the glazed east and west fronts, the bowed roof also sets up the design’s primary formal swerve. the curve of the roof interacts with the curve at the entrance to demonstrate the plasticity of concrete. these two gestures transform a simple box into dynamic architectural expression, incorporating core modernist principles into a progressive design that will serve as an influence for the next generation of architects.

image by miami in focus

the open plan studio space can accommodate a variety of desk configurations ranging from 90 to 130 workstations. the main entrance leads into an informal lobby that continues as a nave-like space running through the studios. the east and west walls of the central volume are clad in felt for students to pin up their work while the nave has movable boards for informal critiques and exhibitions. the studios on the south side of the circulation passage are intended for design-build courses and have direct access to the outdoor work area. scattered cubes of different materials signify different uses within the open studio space: curtains for the jury areas, glass and panels for seminar and meeting spaces, concrete for the fabrication lab.

image by robin hill