Sheltered from sun and rain with a view of Miami Beach

In Miami Beach’s exclusive South of Fifth neighborhood, One Ocean has been a building housing 50 luxury apartments in seven floors since 2016. In the building designed by Mexican architect Enrique Norten (TEN Arquitectos), an owner realized the outdoor living space of his dreams on the terrace of his penthouse. With pool, sunbeds, lounge area … as well as an outdoor kitchen and dining area under two coupled Camargue patio covers. Matter of being able to spend time outside it all year round, even 7 high.

Premium location
One Ocean in the coveted South of Fifth neighborhood (the far southern tip of Miami Beach) is a prime location. From the terrace of one of the penthouses you have an unobstructed view of the ocean and Miami Beach. The original owner was not a fan of the finishes provided and decided to completely gut the apartment, including the terrace. But the project came to a halt and he sold the apartment in that condition to the current owner. “We were able to buy the apartment ‘designer ready’ in 2018,” recalls Who. “After the purchase, we immediately started a dialogue with interior designer Sofia Joelsson Design, who had also previously worked with the first owner. For us, it was a unique opportunity – especially in Miami Beach – to be able to create something from scratch that was exactly what we wanted.”

Outdoor living
For the owner, outdoor living was central to the design: “We like to receive guests and live outdoors. We are fans of the sun, but don’t like sitting in direct sunlight. The designers then came up with the concept of the outdoor living space. They thought about the sunbeds by the pool and a lounge area under the two umbrellas, but one of the main ideas was a patio canopy with tilting slats. The canopy also made it possible to install a dining area and outdoor kitchen on the terrace with countertops and a bar. The kitchen is fully equipped with grill, sink and ice machine. There is also a large television screen visible from the bar and dining tables. Thanks to the slatted roof, that screen also stays out of the sun and avoids annoying reflections. We ended up creating the optimal outdoor living space in which we have already spent so much more time than we ever imagined. This is mainly due to the patio cover that provides shelter from both heat and rain.”

Paired Camargues
Through the interior designer, installer ShadeFLA came to the project. “Someone had recommended us for another project with the interior designer,” Margueritte Ramos knows. “We had also been contacted by the first owner of the penthouse at One Ocean, so we were the perfect party to work out this outdoor living space on this terrace. The interior designer told us roughly what she wanted on the terrace, and we immediately made the recommendation to connect two Camargues. This is an excellent choice in terms of design anyway, but also in terms of usability. You have the protection from the sun, which can be regulated by tilting the slats in the roof as desired but, in addition, protection from the rain with the roof closed.”

Sheltered from sun and rain
“In Miami, we have a rain shower almost every afternoon anyway,” the owner knows from experience. “Then it’s nice that you don’t have to flee inside immediately, but can just sit under the closed slats of the canopy. The gutter system in the roof – rainwater is diverted sideways through the columns – works perfectly.” His two sons in their twenties can also often be found on the terrace. “My two boys often invite their friends to the terrace. They watch movies there, already held a Super Bowl party… Then, when it starts to rain, the youngsters can take shelter under the canopy and don’t set everything off indoors.”, he laughs.

Hurricane resistance
“Only when the wind picks up does shelter become a problem. And that wind is a factor you have to take into account anyway in Florida. That is why we will soon be looking with ShadeFLA to install external screens or sliding panels under our Camargues. That will allow us to stay nice and sheltered outside even in strong breezes.”

Speaking of storms: Florida has an official hurricane season from June through November. About a dozen tropical storms occur during such an average season. So hurricane resilience there is a topic. “The Camargues have the ‘Miami Dade’ certificate; proof that they successfully pass hurricane resistance tests in this region. By the way, this certificate is required everywhere in the state of Florida. Especially at the top of an apartment building, it is good that certified patio covers can withstand wind loads of over 320 mph. With another brand, the storm wind might blow the canopy off the building … not so with Renson,” Margueritte swears by the brand she distributes.

Privacy
The patio cover was also a good move for privacy reasons. “We have about 900 apartments that may have a view of our terrace. Then the Camargues slats do offer some privacy … In that respect, screens could also be an asset,” the owner believes.

Satisfied owner, interested neighbors
“I am very satisfied with the result,” echoes the owner. “Under the Camargues on our rooftop terrace, we spend a lot of time there. In the morning I’m there with my cup of coffee, then also with my laptop to work there. In the afternoon, we often have lunch there. In the evening, we can dine there extensively, or we invite friends over for dinner… It really has become the multifunctional outdoor living space of our dreams.”

“Even neighbors and visiting friends absolutely love the idyllic spot. The terrace cover is making an impression because I was already able to refer several people to Margueritte. There is even a Camargue at the adjacent penthouse now. I also know someone who would like to buy another penthouse and would like the same roof. It’s nice to be a trendsetter,” he winks.