Design Miami/ Launching Competition with Harvard GSD for 2015 Pavilion Commission

A convergence of culture and commerce, the Design Miami/ fairs bring together design enthusiasts, collectors, gallerists, academics, designers, and critics from around the world to engage with museum-quality gallery exhibitions, innovative commissions, talks and installations celebrating 100 years of avant-garde industrial and conceptual design.

Since 2008, Design Miami/ has commissioned early-career architects to build a designed environment at the entrance to the fair, a convergence of culture and commerce that draws design enthusiasts, collectors, gallerists, academics, designers, and critics from around the world to Miami Beach every December. The Design Miami/ Pavilion serves as a refuge for the more than 50,000 visitors, as well as residents, It is intended as a public installation that marries the practical requirements of shelter and seating to innovative architectural ideas.

2008 & 2009 Pavilions by ArandaLasch. Photos courtesy Design Miami/

Tent (2010) by Moorhead & Moorhead

For 2015, Design Miami/ is excited to announce a collaboration with Harvard University Graduate School of Design (GSD), challenging GSD students to design a structure that responds to this unique environment with a bold public statement. Whereas past pavilions — designed by the likes of ArandaLasch, Moorhead & Moorhead, David Adjaye, Snarkitecture, Formlessfinder, and Jonathan Muecke — have taken the form of experimental structures involving high-concept design, this year will see entries from emerging talent at one of the top architecture programs in the world. Opening the commission up to GSD students broadens the scope to include Architects, Landscape Architects, Urban Planners, and Designers, as well as the possibility of students from various paths working as a team and taking a multi-disciplinary approach.

“It is with tremendous excitement that Harvard University Graduate School of Design accepts the commission to design the pavilion at Design Miami this year,” said Mohsen Mostafavi, Dean of GSD. “As a school that is committed to experimentation and design excellence, we will encourage our students to create a breadth of proposals through a rigorous design competition process. We are delighted that the work of our students will be present during this wonderful celebration of art and design set amidst the energy and the architecture of the city of Miami.”

Genesis (2011) by David Adjaye. Photos courtesy Design Miami/

Drift (2012) by Snarkitecture

Not only does this mark the first time the Design Miami/ Pavilion will be designed by a student or group of students — Harvard GSD is the first school to be invited to participate — it also sees the debut of the competition format for the design of the pavilion. Although only a single winning design will be commissioned and built, the other finalists’ proposals will be exhibited at the Design Miami/ Pavilion, showcasing more student work and granting visitors further insight into the process.

“Design Miami/ has always used its global reach to present new and exciting talent to the fair’s community of collectors, dealers, curators, established designers, and luxury partners,” said Craig Robins, Founder of Design Miami/. “One of the most gratifying aspects of our shows in both Miami and Basel is the ability to help emerging innovators forge personal and professional relationships that transform their career trajectories. Collaborating with Harvard University Graduate School of Design on the Design Miami/ Pavilion will bring new energy and fresh point of view to next December’s show.”