faena forum by OMA to open in miami beach in december 2015

faena forum by OMA to open in miami beach in december 2015
image courtesy of faena/OMA

it has been announced that ‘faena forum‘, a groundbreaking new center for arts and culture designed by rem koolhaas of OMA, is to open in miami beach in december 2015. the 50,000 square foot institution will be dedicated to the development of cross-disciplinary cultural programing, intended to encourage collaborations across artistic, intellectual, and geographic divides.

‘faena forum’, which is currently under construction, has been designed as a series of flexible spaces, capable of showcasing new projects, commissions and performances. the structure is divided into two distinct volumes, taking the form of both a cylinder and a cube. the cylinder is an open, soaring void rising 40 feet to a dome that features a central glazed oculus. encircling the perimeter of this volume, a walkway spirals upwards from street level, presenting a range of different perspectives. the adjacent cube features two large interlocking spaces, while the dome can be combined or subdivided to accommodate a range of installations and performative productions.

spiral balcony overlooking the assembly hall of the ‘faena forum’
image courtesy of faena/OMA

launched during art basel miami beach 2014, ‘faena forum’ forms part of a larger cultural development that is the brainchild of argentine hotelier and real estate developer alan faena. the large-scale project also includes ‘faena park’ and ‘marina and bazaar’,  two structures also designed by OMA, while the entirety of the new district will be framed by the lush landscaping of raymond jungles.

‘faena forum has been designed to radiate art and ideas into the community and throughout the city,’ noted mr. faena. ‘it is a new kind of cultural enterprise, one that encourages thinkers and practitioners from across a range of disciplines – the arts, sciences, technology and urbanism – to collaborate and creatively collide in ways that push their practices and produce new works, new experiences, and new ideas.’

frontal view of the building viewed from collins avenue
image courtesy of faena/OMA

OMA‘s partner-in-charge, shohei shigematsu commented: ‘culture is at the core of faena’s vision, and has been the driving force for our collaboration in miami beach. by curating their neighborhood with programmatic diversity, alan’s sphere of influence will likely extend beyond this development to the rest of miami beach.’

the development of the project’s mission and program is being spearheaded by its executive director, ximena caminos, who is also the executive director of faena art buenos aires. ms. caminos has also announced the formation of the faena circle, an advisory committee that will collaborate with her on shaping the new center’s vision and programming. the faena circle includes:

– carlos basualdo, senior curator of contemporary art, philadelphia museum of art, who will serve as the group’s chair
– caroline bourgeois, curator of the pinault collection
– philippe parreno, artist
– alex poots, manchester international festival & park avenue armory (to 2015), culture shed (from 2015)

the rear of the structure viewed from indian creek
image courtesy of faena/OMA

‘art institutions in the 21st century need to serve as catalysts that spark new forms of cultural production that transcend artistic mediums and disciplines,’ explained ms. caminos. ‘faena forum has therefore been conceived as a polyphonic space that will connect the experimental and the popular and allow for a range of voices and visions to take form and, in turn, inform new dialogues within miami, among the americas, and globally.’

see designboom‘s previous coverage of the development here.

aerial view of the faena district in miami beach
image courtesy of faena/OMA

an exhibition at the faena collaboratory displayed plans for the faena district
photo by nik koenig / image courtesy of faena/OMA

the cylinder is an open, soaring void rising 40 feet to a dome that features a central glazed oculus
photo by nik koenig / image courtesy of faena/OMA

faena forum model lobby
photo by nik koenig / image courtesy of faena/OMA

a 24 storey apartment block designed by norman foster is located across the street from the forum
photo by nik koenig / image courtesy of faena/OMA
see more of the project on designboom here