HomeMy WebLinkAboutSubmittal - U of MUNIVERSITY OF
SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE
TO: The Mayor and City Commission
City of Miami, City Hall
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, FL. 33133
FROM: Aristides James Milias R.A.
Associate Professor
University of Miami School of Architecture
Coral Gables, FL. 33124
June 10, 2004
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RE: The Kubik Development Proposal
For 5600 Biscayne Blvd., Miami FL 33137
Dear Sirs:
I've been asked by Mr. Elvis Cruz, of the Morningside Civic Association to verify the
The dimensions of the volumetric model constructed to portray the size of the proposed
Development in relation to the surrounding buildings, mostly homes. I have taken a City
Base map and plotted the height dimensions of the proposed project on it in order to
Compare with Mr. Cruz's model. I can safely verify it's accuracy in displaying the very
Large scale relative to it's surroundings. It (the project) is definitely NOT an example of
Good Architectural scale relationships.
7)1. �. 0604
Sin
Aristides J. Mi ! s
Assoc. Professor
UM School of Architecture
Post Office Box 249178
Coral Gables, FL 33124-5010
305-284-3438
Fax: 305-284-2999
http://www.arc.miami.edu
SUBMITTED INTO THE
PUBLIC RECORD FOR
ITEM vz.i ON
ARISTIDES J. MILLAS
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
1 hACHING AREA
COURSES
RECENTLY
TAUGHT
EDUCATION
TEACHING &
ADMINISTRATIVE
EXPERIENCE
PUBLICATIONS
MEMBERSHIPS
ACADEMIC &
PROFESSIONAL
HONORS
Design Mostly Upper Level studios with focus on Historic Preservation and community
development issues and Architectural History (five courses).
Spring 2000:
Fall 2000:
Spring 2001:
Fall 2001:
Spring 2002
ARC 407/510, 607 Upper Level Design Studio
ARC 477/585 — Arch. History VII: The Architecture of South Florida
ARC 305 — Arch Design V
ARC 373/573 — Arch History III: Early Christian, Byzantine, Medieval
ARC 204 — Arch Design IV
ARC 477/585 — Arch History VII: The Architecture of South Florida
ARC 305 — Arch Design V
ARC 371/571 — Arch History I: Ancient
Sabbatical Leave
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts - M. Arch. in Urban Design (MAUD), 1964
Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - B. Architecture, 1958
Princeton University, University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, and Chatham
College; Visiting Critic/Lecturer, 1965-1972.
Univ. of Miami School of Architecture, Associate Professor, 1974-present (tenure granted 1983),
Coral Gables Miami Rivera: An Architectural Guide (book: co-author, Dade Heritage Trust), 2002
• "Miami," (chapter) Miami's Historic Neighborhoods. Dade Heritage Trust, 2001
• Hialeah Park Feasibility Study: (team for Florida Dept. of State), 1998
• Old Miami Beach, A Case Study in Historic Preservation, July 1976-July 1980.
(Book - co-author & editor, Miami Beach Design Preservation League), 1994.
• Lincoln Road Master Plan Report, (team for City of Miami Beach), 1994
• "Miami Architecture Today: Observations on a Retrospective of Seventy Years,"
(Catalog - Bass Museum of Art, Miami Beach, FL), 1991.
• "South Miami Beach, Florida, USA and the First 20th Century Historic District,"
(Armos Memorial Volume, Univ. of Thessaloniki, Gr.), 1991.
• Master Plan 1987-2000, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, 1988.
• "Understanding City Development: The Miami Story," (ACSA Proceedings), 1988.
• Dade County Environmental Story (Book - contributor with Miami Beach and Coral Gables
histories, 1985, 1987, 1991. Current update, editorial committee
• Coral Gables Central Business District Study #1, (co-author — APA Merit Award, 1984)
Additionally, 15 major professional publications, four editorial research contributions and nine articles in
referred journals, 1969-present.
National Historic Trust Forum, Florida Historic Trust, Society of Architectural Historians (SAH)
Florida Historical Society, Southeastern College Art Conference (SECAC).
Sabbatical Research Award, 2002
American Institute of Architects (AIA-Miami) Historic Preservation Award, Nov. 2001
University Graduate Council 2001-2002
Certificate of Appreciation, Dade Heritage Trust, 2001
Co -Chaired and Planned International Conference, Society of Arch. Historians (SAH), June 2000
Outstanding Achievement, Preservation Media, Florida Trust, 1995
Certificate of Appreciation, Miami Design Preservation League, 1995
Sabbatical Research Award, 1994-1995, 1986
Certificate of Service, Mayor, Miami Beach, 1989
Graduate Faculty, University of Miami, 1985
Certificate of Service, Mayor, Coral Gables, 1985
Church Design Excellence Award, Archdiocese, 1985
APA Urban Design Award, Coral Gables, CBD Plan, 1984
Orovitz Research Fellowship, University of Miami, 1984
Award of Tenure, University of Miami, 1983
APA Urban Design Award, Miami Beach, Washington Avenue Plan, 1981
Fellow, University of Miami Institute of Aging, 1979
Fullbright Nomination, Inst. International Education (Byzantine Studies), 1958
ARISTIDES J. MILLAS ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
RESEARCH State of Florida Historic Preservation Education Grant 2001-2002 (for
(selected) Coral Gables Arch. Guide DHT non-profit sponsor)
State of Florida Historic Preservation Education Grant, 1992-1993 (Case study publication,
"Old Miami Beach," (MDPL Non -Profit Sponsor)
University of Miami General Research Support Award (Greater Miami History), 1990
National Trust Critical Issues Grant (Architectural Task Force for Convention Hotel Impact
in Miami Beach, MDPL, Non-profit sponsor, 1989.
University of Miami, Max Orovitz Fellowship (Greater Miami History), 1984
Planning & Zoning Board Grant, Coral Gables, FL (co -investigator), 1982-1984
State of Florida Preservation Grant, Editor (with others) (Miami Beach History), 1980
DHEW Adm. on Aging Grant (co -investigator) (Miami Beach Neighborhood Study, 1980 (publication)
DHEW Adm. On Aging Grant (co -investigator) Miami Beach Neighborhood Study, 1979 (publication)
SERVICE
Atlanta Archdiocese, Parish Facilities Committee 1997 - present
City of Miami Beach, Historical Museum Board, 1994
City of Coral Gables, Board of Architects - Historian, 1993-1998
Dade Heritage Trust -Board of Advisors and Trustee, 1988-present
Miami Design Preservation League (MDPL), Board of Directors/Trustee and Architectural
Task Force, 1979-present
City of Coral Gables, Miracle Mile Task Force, 1984-1985
Initiated "The Arch of South Florida" public seminars and tours, various So. Florida locations, 1986-present
REGISTRATION Registered Architect (R.A.) since 1962
PROFESSIONAL Aristides J. Millas, Consultant Architect/Planner & Historian, Miami, FL, 1974 - present
EXPERIENCE Inter American Center Authority of the State of Florida (INTERAMA) and
Finley -Green Development Co. (agent for): Project Planner, Miami, FL, 1973-9/74
GAC Properties Inc., Chief Architect, Miami, FL, 4/1972-1973
City of Pittsburgh, PA, Principal Planner for the Golden Triangle, 8/1971-3/1972
Countouris-Millas Associates: Partner, Pittsburgh, PA, 1/70 - 12/1971
Deeter Ritchey Sipple Associates (DRS),
Director of Urban Design & Planning, Pittsburgh, PA, 12/65-3/70
City of Trenton, New Jersey, Principal Planner, 6/1964-11/1965
Deeter and Ritchey, Architectural Designer, Pittsburgh, PA, 1/1960 - 8/1963
Miscellaneous Architectural Firms (11) S. Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, 1955-12/1959
Selected Projects
Hialeah Park Feasibility Study (team) 1998 (publication)
IL Villagio, South Miami Beach, (team) 1995
Lincoln Road Revitalization (team) 1994 (publication)
Florida Atlantic University Master Plan, 1988 (publication)
Miami Greek Orthodox Churches (3) 1976-1984
`Interama' Plan and International Bazaar, 1974;
"New Towns" Poinciana, FL. and Rio Rico, AZ, 1973;
City of Pittsburgh, PA: Historic Market Square 1972; Mt. Lebanon Parks (2); Univ. of Pittsburgh:
Master Plan and Forbes Complex Urban Design, USS Steel Industrialized Housing Research,
Allegheny Center (Inner City Renewal); Three Rivers Stadium; University of Pittsburgh Space
Research Center,
City of Trenton, NJ: Historic Mill Hill 1965
UNIVERSITY OF
SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE
TO: The Mayor and City Commission
City of Miami, City Hall
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, FL. 33133
FROM: Aristides James Millas, R.A.
Associate Professor
University of Miami School of Architecture
Coral Gables, FL. 33124
RE: Kubik Development Proposal for
5600 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, FL. 33137
June 10, 2004
Dear Sirs:
The creation of Biscayne Boulevard was a very important event in the history of
Miami. As the gateway to Miami from the North, the 3 and'i2 mile route was cut in 1926
from SE 2nd Street to NE 55th Street. It is here where the Bayshore subdivision was
created to become the City's first historic district as one of the most intact historic
neighborhoods, the best remaining example of a boom -era suburb, and one of the best
planned subdivisions (as stated in the Designation Report). It is a this very same historic
place that this very controversial Kubik development is proposed, on the very edge of the
Morningside Historic District.
It is controversial for many obvious reasons to anyone with architectural
sensitivity. The site is `packed' with a four story parking garage. The residential block
above at 149ft,llinches height (say 150 feet) creates a wall nearly 500 feet long along
Biscayne Boulevard. The garage is masked with designated commercial space only as
deep as a fire stairwell which is not really marketable. The drawings are labled with
`water views' which clearly indicates in intention of the developer's wish for great height
looking over the Morningside historic district. This project proposal is completely out of
scale and out of character with anything around it, in fact, pretty much the entire length
of Biscayne Blvd.
It is my opinion that this project fails in many ways to be in compliance with the
design review criteria as specified in Article 13 of the City's Zoning Code; especially that
it respond to `physical contextural environment taking into consideration urban form'
and...that it respond to 'the neighborhood context'. It does NOT do this! It is very much
out of scale. The architectural definition for scale would be as follows...'the harmonious
relationship of parts to one another and to the human figure'. I also understand that the
proposal's size contains a bonus for being a `planned unit development' (PUD). This is
very difficult to comprehend why such a bonus would even be con�idered. My
credentials are attached with this letter. Sincerely -
Post Office Box 249178
Coral Gables, FL 33124-5010
305-284-3438
Fax: 305-284-2999
http://wwwarc.miarni.edu
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