Regalia - Condominium Tower
2006-09
Arquitectonica

Birds-eye perspective


A 43-story, 40-unit condominium building.

Pool deck overlooking ocean


The first thing unique about this condominium is one unit per floor - huge, like homes, each with 4 sides and just like old Florida houses with a veranda all the way around, to provide shade and protection from rain. With all glass you want to protect from the sun so we designed with balconies all four sides. The building is actually a perfect square so what makes it modern is the shape of the balcony. Here we are next to water so if you want symbolism it would be good it’s like a waterspout, or moving in the wind, or a tree trunk - an organic feeling. We shaped what is rectangular into what you see, moving free forms opposite of geometric moving away from grid. We wanted to create shadow to add depth so with the little shifts of balcony surface the shadow changes. Each veranda is different like each yard would be different. Inside is very Miesian – nothing curved. Inside is Miesian glass box. Rooms are series of planes that divide rooms. All rooms have natural light. No interior space without light.

Perspective from beach


The materials are glass and concrete. We created a simple form that’s a sculpture in the landscape. This building will be seen from far away from at least 3 sides so we didn’t want to create a wall. Water and breezes define Florida. They are the essence of the oceanfront. They also shape Regalia. The stripes of balcony created form and make it read, yet the building’s imagery is interpretative. Some say the undulating surfaces recall ocean waves, their movement and form frozen: cool yet friendly; regular yet random; geometric yet soft. Others see the tower as organic, like a rock crystal shaped by ocean breezes, eroded into a natural form. Water and wind shape this architecture.

Night time perspective


The result is a tower that rises slender and sculptural. A rectangular glass prism houses the functional requirements. Its transparent surfaces connect inside and outside, linking the occupants with the surrounding environment. Its orthogonal geometry creates elegant, serene, classical, Zen-like spaces. Each floor is wrapped by a sensuously undulating terrace. The resulting walk-around veranda protects the glass surfaces from the sun. It is this walk-around veranda that shapes the architecture. Its glass balustrade forms the horizontal bands which, as they change from floor to floor, create a sculpture that called Regalia.

Eye-level perspective


Technical, environmental or social advancements
:
The 11-foot deep terrace surrounding the residence on four sides allows light and air to permeate to the center of the home, something not common in condominiums.
Project located on previously developed site with neighboring density of 60,000 sf / acre, or within 1/2 mile of residential density of 10 units / acre and 10 "basic services"
Protected a minimum of 50% of the site area (excluding the building footprint) with native or adapted vegetation.
Provided vegetated open space to exceed local zoning's open space requirement by 25%
100% Covered Parking (SS 7.1) Used roofing materials w/ SRI >78 for 75% of roof.
No use of CFCs in any building HVAC equipment
Provided for storage of non-hazardous recyclables for entire building.
Meet minimum indoor air quality standards of ASHRAE 62.1-2004 sections 4 through 7.
Provided lighting controls for 90% of building occupants and provide controls in all shared multi-occupant spaces.
Provided individual comfort controls for 50% of building occupants and comfort system controls in all shared multi-occupant spaces.
Achieved minimum glazing factor of 2% for 75% of all regularly-occupied spaces.
LEED Accredited AP as principal participant.



Miami buildings

Wall to wall glass creates transparent walls with 360 degree views


Location / Address
19505 Collins Avenue, Sunny Isles Beach, Florida

Client/Owner (name, main address, main phone number, name of owner’s representative, names of partners)
Regalia Holdings, LLC
7620 Coquina Drive
North Bay Village, FL 33141

Design Architect
Arquitectonica
801 Brickell Avenue Suite 1100
Miami, Florida 33131
Telephone: 305.372.1812

Partners-in-Charge of Design
Bernardo Fort Brescia, FAIA; Laurinda Spear, FAIA

Project Manager
Derek Warr

Project Architect
Paul Fischman

Architect of Record
Arquitectonica

Interior Designer
Lobbies: Arquitectonica Interiors
Units and Spa: Studio Baigorria

Important Dates
Design Start Date: May 2006
Construction Start Date: Sep 2007
Scheduled Construction Completion Date: Mar 2009

Project Details

Total Area -- Square feet / square meters: 418,389 SF
Number of stories: 43 stories
Height -- feet / meters: 484’-9”
Published cost: $79 million
Program
40 condominium units – one per floor, each is 8,435 SF

Conceptual Drawings by Bernardo Fort-Brescia, FAIA, Principal Arquitectonica:


Regalia

The Regalia lifestyle is like no other. It incorporates elements of functional convenience and impeccable pampering.

Arrival
Arrival style is optional — No forced valet. No forced self parking. The resident has the choice of driving into the single level garage with no ramping, or to use the valet attendant's services under the generous porte-cochere. Additional parking is achieved by use of the latest mechanized parking systems. There is direct access from the garage to the lobby.

Lobby
The lobby double height zone reveals a mezzanine where the main amenity floor is located. A Chihuly sculpture links the two levels as a grand gesture to art and scale. The monumental space rapidly adjusts to a more residential scale with an intimate seating area set against rich wood paneled surfaces. A water wall terminates the axis of a gallery that leads to the elevator lobby.

Lobby support
The concierge functions are beyond those of a hotel front desk. They address residential idiosyncrasies essential to contemporary living. A generous package room is available to hold large deliveries. Freezer and refrigerated storage are provided off the lobby for holding grocery deliveries. Closet space is available adjacent to it to hold hanging and folded laundry deliveries in good condition.

The ocean lounge
Facing the Atlantic Ocean and the pool deck, a room of grand proportions serves as a poolside entertainment space for the residents. The room stretches across the entire east frontage of the tower podium on the second floor. Its three sides of undulating glass flow to the pool deck and beyond. This connectivity is reinforced by the linear infinity pool reaching into the interior space as a reflecting pool. The space combines lounge, bar and media room into a single expansive entertainment space.

The library
Facing the sunset, with its own reading and cigar terrace, is the library. Set in the mezzanine above the lobby it shares the visual excitement of the Chihuly totem as it rises into its balcony edge. The library is a quiet space for relaxing away from one's skyhome or conducting a business meeting without invading the privacy of one's unit. There a support services for business meeting from teleconference screen to fax to secretarial work station to coffee pantry.

Guest accommodations
Adjacent to the library there are two guestrooms. They provide the option of housing short term house guests in private quarters. These rooms have direct access to the pool deck and may be used as guest changing rooms as well or may be offered as a day room for visiting business associates attending a meeting at the adjacent library.

Clean, modern living spaces


Terraces add to living space


Bathroom suite


Fitness
The fitness area is located in separate area along the north facade. It is divided into two spaces. One space is well appointed with state of the art fitness equipment. The other is an open space with rubberized floor for aerobics, yoga, tai chi or other weight free activities. This room will be prepared with heating equipment for Bikram yoga.

Regalia Spa


Spa
Two spa suites will cater to the ultimate body pampering. Each suite is equipped with private sauna and steam room, massage table, whirlpool/dip pool, Spanish multi-head shower, and equipment for facials, manicure and pedicure. There is both a single person and a couples' spa suite, which can be booked through the concierge for the exclusive use by the residents.

Pool cabanas
Residents may reserve the use of pool cabanas. These private circular sun-shaded pods are set in the gardens that flank the pool deck.

The summer kitchen
Set on a corner of the garden will be a barbecue area for outdoor events at the pool deck.

Typical Floor Plan


Lower Floor Plan, Penthouse E


Upper Floor Plan, Penthouse E


- Bernardo Fort-Brescia, FAIA



World Architecture : e-architect - a guide to key buildings across the globe

ten museum park miami

Florida Condominium : ICON Brickell

American Architects

Florida Property

Miami Condominium : COR tower

Comments / photos for the Regalia Condominium Building page welcome:
info@e-architect.co.uk

Regalia Miami page - adrian welch / isabelle lomholt