kengo kuma unveils mixed-use MIRAI design district in miami

kengo kuma plans bustling lifestyle hub in miami design district

Miami is set to welcome its newest landmark destination, MIRAI Design District, the first mixed-use project in the United States by world-renowned Kengo Kuma and Associates. As of April 19th, 2024, Kengo Kuma and the architectural team updated the design of the mixed-use district. It begins with an orthogonal site with two main facades that can allow passersby to see and observe the building from all angles. The site comes with a multitude of corners that can offer tenants clear visibility from inside.

Greenery thrives around MIRAI Design District, taken care of by Island Planning Corporation (IPC), MIRAI’s landscapers and executing Kengo Kuma’s nature-inspired blueprint. The grounds designers have also thoroughly placed a sandy pathway under a wooden soffit that leads visitors through local species, plants and vegetation, connecting them further with nature. Topping the update, never-before-used mesh and materials based on porosity create shadows and a breathable design feature without compromising the transparency.

all images courtesy of MIRAI Design District

Vibrant, bold, and sensorial, it will bring curated boutique spaces to Miami’s Design District to bridge existing commercial and residential areas with ultra-luxury retail, captivating architecture, art galleries, and Michelin-starred restaurants. Its name MIRAI, the Japanese word that signifies ‘the distant future’, nods to the innovative nature of the project which weaves tech-savvy and sustainable features alongside glimpses of nature.

The design fuses influences from both Japanese aesthetics and Florida’s local tropical landscapes to weave a lush central garden that invites immersion in the vibrant social, cultural scene, nestled amid the colorful fluted volumes. The project will break ground in Summer 2024, with completion targeted for the end of 2025.

glimpses of greenery weave through the fluted volumes

Renowned for its global arts scene with a celebrated community of creative people, places, and experiences, Miami Design District has emerged as one of the city’s most coveted destinations for its singular mix of interior design, fashion, art, and architecture. A bustling extension, Kengo Kuma’s MIRAI Design District is a 65,000 square foot development comprising 17 retail units on the ground floor, and commercial office spaces above, each in curated modular bays for luxury brands and offices that can retain their own distinct identity within the wider scheme.

The Japanese architect’s approach to the design seeks to intertwine cultural influences and architecture and nature. Greenscapes, envisioned by landscape architecture firm Island Planning Corporation, play a large part in the district, forming a living rooftop and dotting pedestrian passages and circulation between units. The vibrant lifestyle hub also offers high-tech lobbies, operable windows, VRS systems, and a living green roof adorned with solar panels.

‘For me, architecture is a canvas, a medium to create liberating spaces with essential walls and columns, inviting people to traverse and dream. Inspired by the energy and natural beauty of Miami, MIRAI embodies the harmonious blend of Japanese traditions and the intricate tapestry of old-world architecture,’ notes Kengo Kuma.

The purpose of MIRAI is to fashion a space that not only frames the natural tropical elements of Miami but also harmonizes seamlessly with its surroundings. It’s about providing a haven that exudes tranquility 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 Miami,’ he adds.

The story was updated on April 19th, 2024 to reflect the recent updates regarding the project.