Dutch architecture firm MVRDV has unveiled designs for Woma, a new mixed-use building in the Wynwood neighborhood of Miami. Developed in partnership with Uribe Schwarzkopf, the project features a residential complex with 163 units and a central plaza intended to serve the surrounding community. The building stands in an area known for industrial history and street art, which the design team aimed to reflect through a series of color-blocked facade sections.
Design Approach and Visual Identity
MVRDV used a specific facade system to prevent the building from appearing as a single, overwhelming mass. By varying the width of spandrels and mullions, the architects created a broken-up aesthetic. Founding partner Jacob van Rijs noted that the project is neighborhood-oriented in both function and appearance. The design seeks to prioritize pedestrian movement and human-scale interactions, blending residential units with retail space and amenities.
The exterior uses a bright palette of red, blue, yellow, and green. MVRDV describes the facade as textile-inspired, incorporating panels of scalloped metallic mesh to provide texture. This choice draws inspiration from the fashion industry present in Wynwood. The site is owned by Miami-based fashion designer Rosita Hurtado, whose headquarters will occupy a portion of the building. Her entrance features golden, scale-like elements directly informed by her own clothing designs.
Structural Layout and Amenities
Beyond the color-blocked exterior, the building utilizes a series of stacked blocks, characterized by various setbacks and cantilevers. These structural choices create a jagged profile that contrasts with traditional, uniform high-rises. Thick external elements slope and cross each other to define the building’s footprint. A central plaza functions as a primary social hub, accessible via a wide staircase located near the fashion-inspired entrance. This plaza allows pedestrians to move directly through the block-wide structure, connecting different street-level entry points.
The project integrates outdoor spaces throughout its vertical layout. Residents gain access to green roofs, rooftop pools, and a pickleball court. These amenities are spread across different levels to ensure each area has a distinct character. The focus on shared space aligns with the developer's vision of a mosaic-like building that reflects the surrounding neighborhood’s identity.
Broader Industry Context
Uribe Schwarzkopf CEO Joseph Schwarzkopf emphasized that the building acts as a reflection of community relationships rather than simple concrete construction. Wynwood has transformed from an industrial hub into a creative district, and Woma aims to anchor this shift through its artistic facade and public-facing ground floor. This approach follows MVRDV’s history of working within the patchwork nature of American urban environments.
The studio previously completed the Radio Tower and Hotel in Harlem, which similarly features a stacked, multi-colored box design. Other recent international projects, such as a cultural complex in Shenzhen and a new landmark in Rotterdam, show the firm’s preference for bold colors and unconventional volumes. As Miami continues to see high-density development, the success of projects like Woma may indicate a growing interest in buildings that prioritize distinct visual personality and pedestrian-focused layout over traditional glass-curtain wall towers.