Photo by Jason Chandler.

Jason Chandler, a licensed architect and an associate professor at Florida International University, writes about a studio course that is supported by Knight Foundation.

On April 21, FIorida International University architecture students enrolled in the Knight-sponsored Miami Urban Neighborhood Building Studio had their final review in the BEA Gallery at the Paul L. Cejas School of Architecture Building. Twent faculty and invited guests reviewed approximately 100 students projects. Notable attendees included Prof. Francis Lyn of Florida Atlantic University, architect Bill Lane and architect Margi Nothard of Glavovic Studio.

Students presented their final designs for infill housing projects for three South Florida neighborhoods: Little Havana in Miami, Normandy Isle in Miami Beach and sites along North Shore Open Space Park in Miami Beach. Each student designed a mixed-use housing structure that could be repeated with variations for multiple infill sites. Each project contained a retail or office use on the ground floor with a mix of housing units on the upper floors. The projects were designed to consider flooding conditions, protection from solar heat gain and accessibility accommodations.

The work of this Urban Neighborhood Building Studio is now being compiled for publication and a fall exhibition.