Dwelling Collaboratively: Rethinking Habitation in the Anthropocene
Synergy Lofts
The former Calusa Country Club, a site in SW Miami-Dade County, FL, was used as an avenue to produce visions of a 25– to 35–unit housing project that takes a stance on site and ecological contexts. From a more holistic reimaging of the architectural dwelling-place 3 comes the possibility of producing more self-supporting, regenerative, and just organizations of how we choose to live in the world. These organizations are at once hyper-localized, but also acknowledge their participation in many planetary systems of exchange (i.e., geographic, climatologic, atmospheric, hydrologic). Incorporating fundamental needs of life and livelihood (food, water, energy, sociality, recreation, education) back into daily life through a reimagining of the architectural
dwelling-place.
This project explores the dynamic relationship of collaboration through movement, orientation, surfaces, facades, and the connection of the exterior to the interior.
At its core, this project represents an exploration of the abnormal, specifically challenging conventional architectural expectations through the introduction of movable surfaces. Breaking away from these typical approaches doesn’t mean it’s wrong, instead, it opens new possibilities for understanding and interacting with space. Fixed structures and rigid walls communicate where boundaries and expectations are placed physically and socially. This limits the possibility of how space and human interactions can evolve. In contrast, the movable surfaces disrupt this predictability. Instead, it allows individuals to reorient themselves and reimagine how they collaborate. This dynamic approach encourages the collaboration of space, relationships, and actions while creating a shift in perspective.
This project embodies collaboration on multiple levels, both symbolic and literal. The use of movable surfaces that merge into shared physical spaces speaks to a broader, metaphorical collaboration, one that balances movement and stillness. The façade acts as a mediator that erases the division and cultivates a sense of collaboration. The curved surfaces on the shaded floor plan emphasize the idea of design elements working together to form a cohesive whole. The two towers engage in a dialogue of collaboration through visual connection, where individuals acknowledge the presence of another. The façade also connects the towers into a unified composition. The curved surfaces trace and complete a circular form that mirrors the curvature of the surrounding pathway. The design breaks away from conventional architecture by creating spaces that naturally bring people together. It's not just about encouraging collaboration but making it an integral part of everyday life. The flexible communal spaces and every element is designed to foster connection and community.