Cover The project will be influential Japanese architect Kengo Kuma’s first mixed-use development in the US
The project will be influential Japanese architect Kengo Kuma’s first mixed-use development in the US
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“When we stop going back to nature, we cannot survive,” says Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, integrating nature into architecture in his first mixed-use project in the United States
A new era dawns in the heart of Miami. Amidst neon-lit avenues and coastal energies, three visionary developers stand as changemakers: Lionheart Capital, Leviathan Development, and Well Duo, all of whom converge their resources for urban transformation. At 4200 NE 2nd Avenue, their collective vision takes shape in the form of Mirai Design District—a name destined to make a mark in architecture.
Under the guidance of renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, Mirai promises to redefine elegance and simplicity in design. “Miami is the ideal place to show the future, and Mirai means future. By showing Mirai, I want to show the future of design,” says Kuma.
The development marks Kengo Kuma and Associates’ first mixed-use project in the United States. Set to finish by the end of 2025, it aims to create a luxurious and uncluttered lifestyle in Miami, where “refined design and prime positioning” come together to offer a sophisticated shopping retreat.
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Above The project will break ground in Summer 2024 with completion by the end of 2025
The project will break ground in Summer 2024 with completion by the end of 2025
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Integrating nature into architecture
“The biggest lesson of the COVID-19 pandemic is that when we stop going back to nature, we cannot survive,” says Kengo. Thus, he wants to “bring nature into the building” and his other projects.
Influenced by the nearby residential areas’ high greenery and low density, the team enlists landscape architecture firm Island Planning Corporation (IPC), led by Nathan Browning, to envision complementary greenscapes. IPC will ensure it executes Kengo’s vision of integrating nature into architecture, pioneering a design approach where the project acts as a mediator between the natural elements within the building and its surrounding environment.
“We’ve arranged these set of corners to kind of go up and down, sort of breaking down the mask and creating kind of a village atmosphere, a lively place for people to come to shop, to work, and also to just be surrounded by nature,” says Kevin Clement, chief manager at Kengo Kuma and Associates.
Italian lighting company Viabizzuno, on the other hand, will oversee lightscapes. This collaboration will ensure a harmonious fusion of natural elements and cutting-edge technology.
By incorporating elements such as natural light and green spaces, architects can create environments that promote human well-being and minimise the ecological footprint of buildings. Beyond aesthetics, it can also help reduce energy consumption, improve air quality, and mitigate heat.
Above Mirai Deisgn District from another angle
Mirai Deisgn District from another angle
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For Kengo, architecture is a canvas—a medium to create liberating spaces with essential walls and columns, inviting people to traverse and dream.
“The purpose of Mirai is to fashion a space that not only frames the natural tropical elements of Miami but also harmonises seamlessly with its surroundings,” he explains. “It’s about providing a haven that exudes tranquillity and comfort, inviting all who visit and inhabit to partake in the essence of the vibrant city—a sanctuary where dreams can take flight amid the lush beauty of the city,” he adds.
Kengo’s designs, known for merging architecture and nature, extend beyond the physical structure, incorporating greenery, pedestrian passages, and a living rooftop. The building integrates tech-savvy and sustainable features, offering high-tech lobbies, operable windows, VRS systems, and a living green roof adorned with solar panels.
The Mirai Design District
Mirai Design District will not just be a building. Tenants will be a part of ultra-luxury retail, captivating architecture, art galleries, and Michelin-starred restaurants.
“Our vision for the Miami Design District has always been to create a destination that would inspire architects and developers who share our passion for thoughtful design and celebrate our city’s tropical identity,” says Craig Robins, chief executive officer of DACRA. “Mirai Design District also brings the depth and modernity that are signatures of Japanese design.”
Above A closer look inside the district
A closer look inside the district
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The mixed-use development aims to attract bespoke and high-street retail brands with design excellence, considering its ground floor with 17 modular retail units, totalling approximately 15,500 rentable square feet.
Modular units can also be easily combined for larger footprints or remain singular for an individual brand experience, and almost all retail bays have “corner” conditions. The developers align with the global trend favouring boutique-like spaces in the retail landscape. Designers have also placed a sandy pathway under a wooden soffit, leading visitors through local species, plants, and vegetation to enhance their experience at Mirai.
“The aim through the architecture and the scale of both the building and the sizes of the rental units in the retail experience is to create a curated experience for both the shopper and the tenants,” Allison Greenfield, principal of Leviathan Development and chief development officer at Lionheart Capital, says. “It’s one of those projects that stands out as unique worldwide. It’s more than just creating an envelope for square footage. It’s creating art.”
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Angela Nicole Regis Guiral is a digital editor at Tatler Philippines. She studied journalism and has since written features that look closely at how culture, lifestyle and social impact converge, while occasionally wandering into the worlds of style and travel.
