View Interactive Version | | Back to Index
One Vision
An Interview with Michael H. Wilbur
Interview By: Damir A. Sinovcic, Photos copyright Terra Architecture
Michael Wilbur is a principal at Terra Architecture Planning & Interior Design Inc. His visionairy plan for One Bayfront Plaza is poised to change the skyline of downtown Miami with the addition of a $1.8 billion, 1,049 foot tall folded glass tower on the edge of Biscayne Bay.
DB (Design Book): In your words who is Terra Architecture ideologically?
MW (Michael H. Wilbur): Good question, can I pause and think for a minute? ….capitalist, market driven. No, we always wanted to have a firm that would would work for the developer, in their style of business. We wanted to work in a market economy, help the developer make money, and learn how to work in the current state of real-estate development. We are sort of the opposite of the academic, but we are in touch with contemporary culture.
DB: How old is the firm?
MW: Terra is now two and a half years old. It was formed from a merger of two previous firms. Ignacio and I had a firm called PWA, Permuy Wilbur Associates and we joined with Jose Feito who had a firm for 40 years. We were already working with him so it made sense to merge.
DB: Your company description states: Architecture is the “defining aspect of who we are as a society at this time and place”. Who are we in your opinion and how does that inform your work?
MW: That’s a good one too. Well the previous answer touches on it a little bit. In my mind the state of our culture is hyper-capitalism, buildings and land use are simple products. Buildings don’t last 1000 years anymore so you realize that what you are making is a product that attracts investment capital and people; a product that can serve their purpose for a short amount of time.
DB: You worked in New York for a while?
MW: Upon finishing school in London I moved to New York where I worked for half a dozen firms. I spent five years working for Robert Stern Architects. I often tell people that I consider those five years my real education because the schools don’t really teach you about the business of architecture. Stern did that for me. We worked 65 – 70 hours a week. I worked on a lot of projects and eventually I got to be one of his designers which was quite fun.
One Bayfront Tower, southwest view.
DB: What brought you to Miami?
MW: (laughs) Well, working in New York did. I realized that that wasn’t going to be the place where I wanted to spend my life. I visited Miami several times over the years and I always thought it was a magical and tropical kind of place. I also realized that Miami was poised to be the next great American city that would offer a lot of opportunity for architects to build in.
DB: Do you view architecture with a sense of permanence or do you see it as something more disposable?
MW: Disposable, but without a negative connotation. I don’t believe that Architecture in America is about permanence anymore, if it ever was. I know in my work there is always attention to how long things need to last, like a roof or materials for example. No one talks about things lasting even thirty years because that would be too long. I am not sure if architecture is entirely disposable but the idea of buildings being retrofitted and renovated is something that we have in mind in the beginning now. The original function of the building may not survive. Ten years from now an office building, for example, may not be an office building anymore.
DB: Let’s talk about Miami specifically: Where do you think that the city is heading architecturally?
MW: Probably to a very scary place but that’s exactly what attracted me to it. It’s not following any precedent.
DB: Miami is known for being a trendy place and the public’s taste can change frequently. As the architect, how do you ensure that the design for a large and lenghty project like One Bayfront Plaza will remain current and relevant?
MW: That is a good question. We based our design concept on the wind, waves, and sailboats. Those ideas are very old and have carried Miami for a long time.
DB: Much has been said about Miami and its lack of a truly iconic structure to define the skyline. Do you see One Bayfront Plaza as an Iconic building that could do this?
MW: I think it will be iconic. The height and the location will certainly make it the center of the skyline.
One Bayfront Tower, Site Plan.
DB: In your opinion, how has the public reacted to the design?
MW: Throughout the planning process and the hearings, we have gotten a very positive feedback. I have noticed that the people who are not involved in design and architecture are even more excited and enthusiastic about it.
DB: The building will house a hotel, offices, and some banquet facilities. Will there be any spaces for the general public?
MW: The lower three floors will be multi-level retail. There is also going to be a café and a restaurant associated with it. The towers will be semi public. Another idea we are proposing is to have an observation deck on the top of one of the towers. We even talked about having a small restaurant or some other activity up there.
DB: Have any tenants or hotel operators been announced yet?
MW: Not yet. Our client is busy creating marketing materials right now so they can start the process of looking for major tenants.
DB: In addition to architecture, your firm does urban planning and interior design as well. Will you be doing the interior design for One Bayfront Plaza?
MW: The job has been offered to us, we just haven’t formally negotiated that.
DB: The exterior of the building is very dynamic. Do you expect the interiors to reflect that too?
MW: Definitely, especially if we do the interior design. Since we come from more of an architectural background, we’ll bring the same language from the exteriors to the interiors as well.
View from Biscayne Bay.
DB: Will this be a green building?
MW: Yes, the developer has agreed to do a LEED silver certification.
DB: How did East Coast Realty select you as the designer for this project?
MW: We met the developer, Mr. Hollo, at a function. He said that he had a project in downtown for which three other architects submitted design proposals. He invited us to submit a proposal as well. We did some sketches and he picked us.
DB: One Bayfront Plaza is proposed to be the tallest building in Miami. Is this label important to you?
MW: No. …well it has a certain satisfaction really. However, I know that there are other building proposals out there that may eventually beat our height record.
DB: Most architects have someone they look up to professionally? Do you have an architectural hero?
MW: That would be a long list of about one hundred architects. Of the living architects, I have the highest admiration for Robert Stern; partly because he has a complete mastery of history and contemporary culture. He is my mentor.
DB: Any there any other professions that interest you aside from architecture?
MW: I could imagine being a painter. When I was young that is actually what I wanted to do but I felt uncomfortable pursuing it. I guess I thought it would have been a disappointment to my parents. I think they always wanted me to be something practical like a doctor or a lawyer... or an architect.
DB: Thank you for your time.
