The allure of something exotic fills us with notions of far-off beauty, raw power, pleasure, and unattainable riches.
It’s in our nature to play with fire and tame the elements. This innate tendency brings us an almost transcendent pleasure, a brighter daily existence, and, ultimately, a more fulfilling life.
But you don’t have to go to the ends of the Earth to feel the thrill of discovery and conquest.
What if you could harness the elemental power of the tropics, refresh your well-being, and do that right here at home?
Tropical modern architecture is one of the best architectural styles for your luxurious Miami lifestyle, but it’s also a way to add record-breaking sales value to your home (which we cover a little later).
But what is this architectural style exactly? Where did it come from? What do you have to do to achieve it for yourself?
This comprehensive article will answer all of the above and more.
For those unfamiliar with the style, Tropical modern architecture is a design language that draws inspiration from the modernist movement of the last 125 years while incorporating distinctive features and characteristics that connect any structure to its exotic surroundings (and vice versa).
In Miami, FL, tropical modern architecture is the perfect style because it immerses you in Mother Nature's beauty while shielding you, when necessary, from Mother Nature's fury.
From clever elevations and breezeways to impressive overhangs and open-concept entertaining, tropical modern architecture can be a statement about your level of achievement and a way to enjoy the good life when your life, for the moment, keeps you at home.
Discovering the origins of tropical modern architecture will allow you to appreciate the style when you see it or when you collaborate with a tropical modern architect on your next residential development project.
When you think of “the tropics,” what comes to mind?
Probably someplace like that, right?
Somewhere far away that most can't get to. Adding even more to the appeal.
It takes effort, insight, daring, and a large amount of disposable income to experience something so rare in today’s hectic world. Not everyone can do it. But you can.
That said, our obsession with the wealth and well-being found in the tropics goes back a little further in time.
It is the opinion of this humble tropical modern architect that the allure of the tropics was born during the Age of Exploration. The Old World (Europe through about 1450 A.D.) became enchanted by treasures and luxuries from Asia in the form of silks and spices.
Early Europeans not only cherished these goods, but the imagery and tales that went along with sourcing them.
Such demand for all of the above drove the Monarchs to race for the shortest sea route to Asia.
And we all know what happened next.
Instead of Asia, the Spanish explorers landed in South America, Central America, the Caribbean, and what would eventually become Florida. Gold, jewels, and other riches were found in the tropics and brought home in abundance.
Thus, the tropics became a place where there seemed to be a never-ending supply of wealth, possibility, and beauty. In fact, the fountain of youth was rumored to be in the tropics somewhere. Something, metaphorically, we’re still looking for!
At MIK Architecture, we want you to experience the elegance, romance, and vitality of the tropics. Our work embraces all of this as we strive to create contemporary spaces that enhance desirability, functionality, beauty, and, ultimately, value.
Modern architecture was an Industrial Age response to the previous centuries of heavy-handed ornamentation found throughout Europe.
At the end of the 19th century, human beings harnessed radically new technologies, materials, and manufacturing methods. We marked this moment in time as a transition away from maximalism to minimalism.
“Less is more” became the battle cry during the modernist movement.
Enormous pieces of steel, glass, and reinforced concrete were the sign of the times as we mastered their production.
Bold structures were created to showcase these new material capabilities. Larger pieces of steel, glass, and concrete allowed human beings to boldly go where they hadn’t been able to before: up.
Skyscrapers and other soaring structures of modern life were now possible, and the Eiffel Tower, the Flatiron Building, and the Chrysler Building stand as iconic monuments of modern architecture.
Closer to the ground where residential life takes place, open angular spaces gave architects and occupants more freedom, something we love here in America from sea to shining sea. We see the birth of these design values in architecture from Le Corbusier’s Dom-Ino House (above), FLW’s Fallingwater House, and many more prolific structures.
The first official tropical modern architect was Geoffrey Bawa, a British/Sri Lankan architect. He is credited with tropical modern architecture because he sought to bring the outside inside while creating a sense of comfort and natural immersion without any of the trappings associated with the dogmatic maximalist style.
Open-concept floor plans, massive pieces of functional glass, exposed steel, and concrete were all used to tame the raw elemental power of the tropics while creating a luxurious experience.
Bawa’s most notable example of this style is the luxurious Heritance Kandalama Hotel in Sri Lanka, which still exists today and offers travelers many levels of comfort, including Royal Suite Accommodations.
Check out these amazing images from Bawa's hotel (above and to the left).
Yup. It’s a thing.
If you haven’t heard the term before, Florida Modernism is closely tied to other design trends like Miami Modern (MiMo), which also embraces Tropical Modernism, Art Deco, and elements of Mediterranean Revival. In fact, Al Capone famously said that Miami was “the Italy of the New World, where life is good and abundant.”
At the turn of the century, the Magic City’s mystique was growing. With newly laid railroad routes from the Midwest and Northeast, it was quickly becoming the destination escape for wealthy tourists—or, in Capone’s case, pure escape!
Soon, railroad baron Henry Flagler saw who was headed to Miami, and he decided to help them make the most of their stay by commissioning a tropical modern hotel that still exists today.
You know this place as the Royal Palm Hotel (built in the 1920s) in South Beach. It’s home to the city’s first swimming pool and other upscale amenities that connect sun-seekers with the tropics—even if they never leave the hotel grounds.
Thanks to the appeal of the tropics and the luxurious architectural style that embraced it, tourism boomed over the next several decades, especially in post-war America, when people decided to plant roots and live here, turning their dreams of a relaxed vacation into a daily lifestyle.
By now, you should definitely have a sense of what should be included in the design of a modern tropical house. But how to plan and build one? When considering what characteristic features make for the best type of modern tropical house, the first step is observing the location and surrounding nature of your site, something we help you do with our feasibility study. The best way to determine what features will be best is to approach your site with a sense of curiosity and ask:
Answering these questions (and many more) is essential when planning your modern tropical house. Doing so opens the door to determining definitive styles that blend the sleek lines and minimalist aesthetic of modern design with the natural elements and warmth of tropical environments, which results in key characteristics such as:
Structural Examples:
Show and tell time. Let’s take a look at key tropical modern architecture features that developers and discerning homeowners love from MIK Architecture:
The Sunstone House is an impressive 8500-square-foot luxury home flanked by towering palms, lush vegetation, and a heritage tree that’s always in view. This particular tropical modern home is all about seamless connection to amenities.
Thanks to the open-concept living space, occupants can quickly find their way to the centralized pool, outdoor entertaining space, guest and staff accommodations, and a master suite with a private studio, security room, and so much more.
15-foot ceilings allow for eyelines to move up and out, making every day an exploration or practical adventure.
Light, ventilation, and the integration of natural materials are among the core principles of tropical modern architecture. Our single-family luxury home at 8000 S. Miami embraces all of these and more.
A soaring central breezeway not only allows for light and ventilation but also demonstrates respect for that dance between modern and natural materials. We were thrilled to keep a massive natural oak tree on the property, which inspired a theme of warm wood-like accents that runs throughout this impressive home.
Generously sized louvered overhangs invite everyone in the home to explore the outdoor living and entertaining space, which is accompanied by a delightful pool and emerald grounds.
We wouldn’t fault you if thoughts of tropical living brought up imagery of Robinson Crusoe’s island castaway home. Designed to protect him from wild animals and floods, his innovative designs were informed by his surroundings.
Similarly, 3551 Crystal needed to reconcile its surroundings, a tight lot, and flood zone designation with the owner’s desire to entertain on every level with rich features and amenities.
This luxurious tropical modern house achieves a floating effect where owners can show off their exotic cars with unimpeded access to the outdoor summer kitchen, pool, and entertaining space.
As you climb higher through this home, you’re greeted by indulgent living and entertaining spaces that always keep you connected to (and protected from) the surrounding tropical elements.
Lastly, the sophisticated castaway in all of us will appreciate the lavish roof-top entertaining space with unrestricted views of the tree-tops and Biscayne Bay. What better way to enjoy a million-dollar sunset while keeping safe from the occasional Yellow Panther?
Would you ever want to be rescued from a place like this? Probably not.
It’s one thing to live by the water and another thing entirely to walk on it. The owners of this neighborhood diamond are greeted each time by a floating walkway over an aqua pool that mirrors the bay they’re situated on.
Additionally, the rare, second-story Beton Brut rotated section is a formidable architectural achievement giving this home peerless individuality, power, and unique perspectives on the bay reserved exclusively for the master suite.
Surprises and delights are plentiful at Solano Prado, including fore and aft decks, covered exterior spaces, pocket doors that open the home to the world outside, expansive closets, utilities, and more.
Clean marble, glass, stone, and tile elements run throughout this tropical modern house, but warm wood features are introduced at key areas to enhance warmth, joy, and a deeper connection to everything it takes to achieve life at that level.
This home broke all previous retail amounts for this neighborhood and underscores the investment caliber of tropical modern, ultra-luxurious, single-family waterfront homes.
Love affairs are pretty common in the Miami area - so why not have one that will actually last, make everyone happy, inspire passion, attract envious stares, fill your soul, and inspire spontaneity at every turn (all while keeping you out of trouble)?
Having a tropical modern house you’re crazy about is something you won’t ever want to hide!
Other benefits you can expect from your tropical modern house include:
With the perfect tropical modern house, you can have it all; especially when you work with the best tropical modern architect in Miami, FL!
The next question is the most important one: What does Tropical Modern Architecture mean to you?
Every well-lived life has its story to tell, and it’s from your telling of it to us that we can express it in a design language that speaks about who you truly are.
Aren’t you and all you’ve done worth it?
We certainly think so.
To see what’s possible, we invite you to get in touch so that we can share some ideas about how to bring the best of the tropics home to you.