Miami Baywalk

RSM Design and Savino & Miller Design Studio collaborated to transform the Miami Waterfront into a local and international destination to celebrate Miami’s unique heritage, create access to the water from the diversity of nearby neighborhoods, and promote legacy for the community for years to come.

The waterfront is the most valued yet disconnected stretch of open space that divides neighborhoods and cultures between public and private lines. This project aimed to turn this stretch of waterfront into a place for everyone through a process that drew insights and directives from the public. This was achieved through a series of public outreach and design charettes to draw observations and criteria for the naming, branding and design of the experience of the waterfront walk.

The brand is built on the inspiration of the mangrove, a symbol of resiliency, legacy, and preservation of the waterfront.

The experiential design for Miami Baywalk connects a 16-mile stretch of waterfront walking and biking paths, tying together over 30 public/private properties. These walking paths include lighting, landscaping, hardscaping, placemaking elements such as consistent seating, shade structures, sculpture and art to provide a truly connected public space that would bring residents out and interacting on their Miami Baywalk. Cultural events such as music and art festivals, marathons and markets are programs that the public suggested. Every component that was designed for placemaking as well as programming came from the public’s suggestions. RSM Design and Savino & Miller Design Studio were honored to be awarded this project in a competition with over 60 international design firms.