Public Records Miami is a study in adaptive reuse, transforming a 1954 auto body shop into a dynamic cultural space that preserves the architectural and historical fabric of Little River while redefining its future. This intervention embraces the existing structure, reinforcing its industrial character while introducing new spatial and material strategies that support community engagement, sustainability, and resilience.

The design is rooted in three key principles: contextual sensitivity, environmental responsibility, and economic feasibility. Retaining the existing 5,090 SF concrete shell significantly reduces material waste while maintaining the urban rhythm of the neighborhood. A porous spatial strategy integrates indoor and outdoor environments, fostering fluid transitions between curated music, culinary experiences, and public gathering spaces.

Responding to Miami’s climate, the courtyard features a translucent polycarbonate canopy, engineered with bolted connections for easy disassembly and reuse. A quick-release system allows panels to be removed and stored during extreme weather, mitigating damage while ensuring longevity. At night, the softly illuminated structure acts as a beacon of hospitality and cultural exchange.

Sustainability informs every design move. A butterfly roof facilitates rainwater harvesting, directing runoff to nourish integrated plant life and support gray water use, reducing environmental strain. A suspended garden within the triple-height courtyard weaves nature into the built environment, enhancing thermal comfort and reinforcing the connection between people and place.

Public Records Miami is more than a venue; it is a spatial framework for cultural production, collaboration, and civic identity. Through thoughtful material choices, climatic responsiveness, and a commitment to community, the project creates a lasting dialogue between past and future, architecture and nature, structure and experience.