The Pink House is one of the best known and most photographed residences in Miami. It is a symbol of modern design. It is located in Miami Shores, on Biscayne Bay and occupies a double lot with over 100' of open bay water frontage.
Many factors make this house interesting, but its controversy has always intrigued me. Designed by Laurinda Spear and Bernardo Fort-Bescia of Arquitectonica for Spear's parents in 1976, it's a series of planes and framed views together with clever climate-minded design which maximizes East/West breezes.
Its color statement received plenty of attention in the late 1970's when it was built. Neighbors were disturbed by the 5 hues of pink (which were picked not only to reflect the tropical climate, but because those colors were rarely used at the time). The house had to undergo scrutiny from The Village of Miami Shores' zoning review board to get colors approved. (how does that NOT surprise me!) The board finally demanded that a grove of trees be planted to shield the house from the street.
Its obvious horizontal lines and planes are broken up by Royal Palms mathematically aligned along the front facade. There's a pool porthole visible also from the front facade. It was designed to be an urban home with a suburban context - conceived as an object in the landscape. The approach is calculated and you follow a sequence from the facade, to a courtyard to the rooms - each room frames the view beyond in a different way.
Follow these links for some interesting articles about The Pink House and Arquitectonica:
photos courtesy of: http://www.arquitectonica.com• Copyright ©1997-2007 Arquitectonica International Corporation • All Rights Reserved
For another architecturally relevant house in Miami Shores, please read: Famous Architect, Wahl Snyder's home in Miami Shores -SOLD
RICK AND INES specialize in Miami Shores Real Estate - please visit our website for more information about the area http://www.yourpropertypros.com/ www.miamism.com
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Miami Luxury Real Estate - from Fisher Island to Aventura including Miami Beach, Miami Shores, Bay Harbor Islands & Surfside - specializing in Luxury, historic and waterfront homes
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Wow Ines, this is great. I love reading about local flavor this way!
Ines... I can see the architect in you...
you should do a piece on Addison Mizner... I love the story of his 2 story buildings w/out stairwells
Funny how when things are new they are outrageous, then they not only become part of the landscape they become The Landscape. Someone was very bold back then. Leaders are like that!
Nice post you little architect you!
kk
Caleb - not only did I enjoy doing this post, but I'm enjoying reading others' spin on it as well - it was a great idea for you guys to encourage this.
David - Mizner is definitely an interesting architect....maybe I'll take that one on too - thanks for the idea.
Kristal - Arquitectonica has been on the forefront of original and controversial architecture here in Miami. I have to tell you that a lot of their building's function is not too great, another negative is the materials and how difficult the maintenance is. But they do have really great stuff all over town and makes us proud to live in Miami. These buildings have certainly become part of the landscape, as you say.
Ines - I love this post! The way you've written about the 'pink house' makes me want to go see it. Very nice job laying out this post - love the pictures and links, too!
Ann
I agree with Ann, when I get to Miami I've got to see this place. But Ines, I want you standing next to me pointing out what I'm missing. To me this looks like an unusual house. You see this very differently than I do.
Its obvious horizontal lines and planes are broken up by Royal Palms mathematically aligned along the front facade.
I didn't see the obvious horizontal lines or the vertical ones until you pointed them out to me. It's sort of like a puzzle - what do you see here?
Ann - thanks so much, you know how I value your opinion - The current owners don't open it to the public, but they do commercials and find "film crews" there often.
Dena - Every year in Miami Shores there's a Home for the Holidays Walking Tour which features 5 or 6 local homes and there's a couple of friends of ours that HAVE to go with me because of my descriptions. They say they enjoy my enthusiasm so much more than the actual tour and would miss half the features of the homes if I were not there pointing them out. You just made me smile.
Ines, definatly different. I don't know how I would feel about living in a pink house, but 100' of water frontage would not be hard to put up with.
George...it's 100' of open bay water frontage....aaaaah.....what a view!....and what's wrong with pink? with 5 different hues of pink?
Well, I hope some day to join you an OUR friends for that walking tour. Wouldn't that be fun!
Ines, I guess I am just not a pink person, maybe green, blue, brown, but just can't see myself in a pink house :)
Dena - come join us anytime - we have a lot of fun!
George - I'm not a pink person either, but would love to live there! The upstairs has 2 bedrooms, 2 dressing rooms and 2 studies
Hummmmmmm..........I guess I could always go to the paint store and buy a few gallons of my favorite color. I bet I could even get it in 5 shades. What do you think.....................LOL
Hi Ines, I was just reading your Miami Shores blog for the 1st time - I've been reminiscing lately..I'll be in Miami April 13 - 16 - I may have to drive by it for old time's sake if I have time. Say hello to Monique and Frank & Camilo if you see them anytime soon!
George - how could you paint "THE PINK HOUSE" any other color but PINK!! Imagine a yellow "pink house" - that would really drive people crazy! LOL!
Karen - you better call when you're here, I would love to meet you. I'll call Monique so you can see what they have done to the house. I will certainly say hello to them from you.
Oh my god that place is GOOSE BUMPY gorgeous! I love pink... it is an amazing color... that NEEDS to be appreciated in the sun. Mexico, Florida, Arizona, New Mexico all are GREAT pink states.
What a fun post.
Pink It Forward..
Me
Craig, you are too cool! You always know what to say to get a girl happy. ; )
Ines,
Love your story and description to this most interesting home. I'm sure there is a also lot of color to the people who have resided there.
Ruth - it is definitely an interesting house and one that has been criticized quite a bit. As for the color of the house now, it is not the original 5 tones of pink - I would love to see the original darker tone brought back but color is very difficult in Miami Shores (it is one of the negative points of this neighborhood)
"orange" how appropriate....my favorite color.
Rick and Ines - you should do a whole series of blogs on architectural treasures of your area, and have a section of your website devoted to the photos and descriptions. What a resource that would be!
Sharon - I LOVE that idea!! Thanks so much for the suggestion - I'll get working on it right away!
Ines - I want all the updates on when you add something new!
I too LOVE this house and would definitely put it on my "to see" list when in Miami. And I love Sharon's idea to put the "treasures" together!
Sharon - but of course!!! you'll be the first to know.
Carole - unfortunately this house is not open for tours, you can only see it from the outside (like the photo I took) - I'm hoping the owners will let us showcase the home in one of our home tours soon.
I remember sitting in a car, being shown the house on a tour of "cool" sights by a friend about 10 years ago when I moved here...Great Post!
Caroline - thanks for stopping by (all these EWM managers in Active Rain - how cool is that!) - now you need for the agents to start blogging.
Thanks for adding this to the Buildings group, Ines.
Sharon - thanks for letting me be a part of it!
If you are interested in doing shoots at this location please contact me, this is my home.
Hi Jonathan - thanks so much fo leaving a message. There are plenty of people who are always asking me about touring your house. I also know a couple of your neighbors, including the Omenacas across the street and they have only good things to say about you. Best wishes for the new year!
ines
Jonathan - LOL!! I figured that much!
Jonathan - I've been trying to contact you about a company scouting your house for commercials - please give me a call or e-mail me when you have a chance - 305-206-9366 or ines@miamism.com