The Miami Pier Museum of Latin American Immigrants, designed by Maciej Zawadzki is a horizontal monument dedicated to the immigrants who arrived in Miami, Florida on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. The museum is situated on the coast line, on axis with one of the main streets in the city.
More on this project after the break.
The form of the proposed museum is derived from the analysis of two phenomena. The first is the external form, symbolizing the emotions and tribulations associated with the migration of Latin American Immigrants, emphasizing the dramatic fate of immigrant communities. The internal organization is composed of twisting elevations symbolizing the enormous effort and difficulties that people have to overcome. Irregular aggressive shapes are visible from a distance – the scars of a tragic history.
The second factor is the unique relationship of the coastal environment. The hurricanes of this region were a main inspiration for the external expression of the form. Thus, the external form has a semblance to a large sea wave, generating a dynamic character associated with the shape of the building.
The interior spatial organization is distributed in such a way as to convey the struggles of Latin American Immigrants on their journeys to the U.S. The spatial anatomy, along with various exhibitions, create large ascending areas covered in a twisting roof, spaces that evoke an endlessness, emptiness and nature of the sea. The exhibition hall culminates in a contemplation terrace which points out to the sea in the direction of the south.
The structure was designed to absorb the major forces of the wind throughout the turbulent climatic conditions of the year. Facade materials were chosen that promote the aerodynamics and resistance to high winds and water loads on the structure.
