Miami Beach Island Home by Choeff Levy Fischman
Miami Beach Island Home is a contemporary two-story house located in Miami Beach, Florida, designed by Choeff Levy Fischman.
About Miami Beach Island Home
Introduction: Embracing the Climate Challenge
For some, scenes of sea level rise, intense rainfall, king tide flooding, and hurricanes with seven-foot storm surges might evoke horror movie imagery. Yet, for Miami Beach residents, this scenario represents their daily reality. Nevertheless, innovative architects like Miami’s own Choeff Levy Fischman are turning climate change into an opportunity. They’re not just making a statement; they’re crafting future-proof solutions.
Innovative Design on Hibiscus Island
Recently, Choeff Levy Fischman completed a luxurious waterfront home on Miami Beach’s Hibiscus Island, tackling two significant challenges head-on: sea-level rise and low-lying, flood-prone streets. They skillfully integrated elaborate grade changes, resulting in a steep driveway and striking front entryway stairs. Moreover, they ensured the house was accessible and exceeded the base flood elevation standards. Additionally, they crafted an on-site stormwater filtration system and added necessary site fill to elevate the residence to 10 feet NGVD (about 3 meters), meeting FEMA’s requirements.
Adjacent properties, built decades ago, sit four to five feet lower than this avant-garde home. To manage runoff, the architects designed tall retaining walls, effectively preventing water intrusion without affecting neighboring homes. This achievement stemmed from a collaborative effort among architects, landscape architects, and engineers.
Green Features for Enhanced Protection
Choeff Levy Fischman didn’t stop at stunning design. They incorporated several green features to shield the home against Miami’s harsh natural elements. Among these is a comprehensive on-site rainwater retention system, combining swales, subsoil, and underground trenches for water purification and maintenance. This system cleans and filters stormwater before redirecting it to the city’s storm sewer. The architects also utilized insulated glazing with low-e film to reduce solar heat gain and glare, cutting energy costs. Moreover, a high Albedo roof membrane was installed to lessen heat and cooling demands.
A Fortress Against the Elements
Designed to stand firm against hurricane winds, storm surges, and rising sea levels, the south-facing waterfront home on Hibiscus Island showcases remarkable resilience. Its seawall, at 7.26 NGVD (around 2.21 meters), significantly exceeds the code requirement of 4.8 NGVD at the time of design. With a strategic setback of 22 to 26 feet (approximately 6.7 to 7.9 meters) from the seawall, the home is well-prepared for additional storm barriers. Choeff Levy Fischman, with their forward-thinking approach, not only prepares for anticipated sea level rises but also embodies the proactive ethos they advocate, ensuring their creations withstand the test of time.
Conclusion: A Model of Resilience and Innovation
In an era where climate change poses relentless challenges, the work of Choeff Levy Fischman on Miami Beach’s Hibiscus Island stands as a beacon of resilience and innovation. By merging cutting-edge design with sustainable practices, they offer a blueprint for future construction that not only addresses the immediate threats of our changing climate but also sets a new standard for living harmoniously with nature.
Photography by Lifestyle Production Group
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- by Matt Watts
