Rene Gonzalez is the architect of the Glass condominium tower in South Beach and a 12-unit boutique development on South Beach called Louver House. Now, he’s busy with a personal project as well: planning to build a house for himself on Belle Isle, with sea level rise in mind.
Gonzalez seeks permitting from Miami Beach for an elevated, multi-story house on Belle Isles, which is the easternmost of the Venetian Islands, located along the Venetian Causeway that spans Biscayne Bay and connects Miami Beach to Miami.
His proposed project for a Farrey Lane address on Belle Isles is a lofty-looking bay-front home perched well above ground level and the water.
“Raising the house keeps it safe from storm surges, allows breezes to circulate, natural light to filter in, drainage patterns to flow and ecosystems to thrive,” Gonzalez told Curbed Miami.
“The reality of sea level rise and serious environmental issues in Miami Beach coupled with the adjacent, variously scaled buildings requires an innovative design approach,” he said. The site of the proposed Farrey Lane House is “surrounded by bungalows that were built in the 1940s, five-story multifamily buildings, and the Standard Hotel.”
A living space on the main level of the Farrey Lane House would lead to a pool. Three bedrooms would be upstairs, and a roof deck would top the house. [Curbed Miami] – Mike Seemuth