The One Thousand Museum

Miami, Florida

The One Thousand Museum is a 62-storey residential tower located across from Museum Park in Miami. Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, this striking feat of architecture stands at 700 feet (210 meters) tall, making it the 6th tallest building in Miami.

What makes this project so unique is the curvaceous exoskeleton, that encases the glass facades of the structure, made out of 5,000 lightweight Glassfibre Reinforced Concrete (GRC) panels. GRC was chosen for its structural versatility, aesthetic appeal, and its ability to withstand the often-extreme weather conditions of Miami - an area prone to hurricanes.

The Vision

The One Thousand Museum embodies Zaha Hadid's fluid, curvaceous architectural style - particularly the curvy GRC framework surrounding the exterior of the structure which serves a greater purpose than just aesthetics.

The tower is exposed to high wind loads so, to provide greater resistance, the exoskeleton columns spread out and flare into rigid tubes at the base of the structure. As the tower rises, the curved supports taper to meet the corners of the building, creating a continuous and remarkably rigid frame.?

Challenges & Solutions

The exoskeleton design was a challenge for casting and forming since traditional methods would have proved too expensive and time-consuming. After a series of studies, the project team decided that GRC was the only solution.

The 5,000 pieces of GRC that formed the exoskeleton were produced in Dubai and shipped to Miami early in the construction process. The material's flexibility and lightweight made it perfect for achieving the complex curves and smooth surface finishes required by Hadid's design. Using GRC as permanent formwork also helped the construction team resolve any casting and forming issues and avoided compromising the shape of the exoskeleton structure. This approach was implemented from above the 15th floor right to the pinnacle of the tower.

Below the 15th floor, the exoskeleton's architectural forms, which are much larger (some up to 25 feet long and 5 feet thick) were structurally simplified into rectangular sections and then clad with GRC. This efficient approach eliminated approximately 4 months off the project schedule.

Architectural Merits

Wrapped in an exoskeleton of GRC, the One Thousand Museum strikes a perfect balance between aesthetics and functionality.?

Aesthetically, the material palette of the building harmonises well with the surrounding Miami neighbourhood yet makes a striking contrast with its fluid exoskeleton which softens and encases the building's faceted, crystal-like facade.

In terms of functionality, the incorporation of GRC proved an apt choice of building material. The lightweight yet durable properties of GRC minimise the environmental impact of the building process, since less raw materials are required to create a long-lasting structure. The material is also well-known for its superior weather resistance which makes it ideal for Miami's often-demanding climate, maintaining the integrity of the building's structure against all kinds of weather.

Unlocking Possibilities

The One Thousand Museum is yet another project that demonstrates the architectural possibilities that can be unlocked using Glassfibre Reinforced Concrete. The building's curvaceous GRC exoskeleton not only serves as an iconic design feature but also plays a crucial role in its structural integrity and environmental resilience.

The successful integration of GRC into this complex design highlights the material's versatility and effectiveness in solving modern construction challenges. Zaha Hadid and the construction team behind the project have proved once more that GRC is a formidable material in making large-scale architectural concepts a reality whilst capturing a unique aesthetic styles and demonstrating structural reliability.

Read more case studies on Glassfibre Reinforced Concrete projects on the Fibre Technologies website, click here.