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<\/p>\nBernardo Fort-Brescia and his design practice Arquitectonica are making a seismic impact on Asia from an HQ in Florida\u2019s \u201cMagic City\u201d<\/p>\n
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Neon. Speedboats. Linen suits. Jai-alai. The Atlantis Condominium. This iconic opening sequence means only one thing: It\u2019s the mid-80s, and nowhere is sexier\u2014or more saturated in pastel\u2014than Sonny and Ricardo\u2019s Miami.<\/p>\n
The TV show Miami Vice made household names of Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas. It also established the then-recently completed Atlantis Condominium as one of Magic City\u2019s most enduring landmarks. Not a bad marketing feat for your first major project.<\/p>\n
Completed just five years after Bernardo Fort-Brescia and Laurinda Spear launched Arquitectonica, the building made a bold statement in the architectural world. Its daring design quickly gained international recognition, featuring a large five-storey square hole cut through the building, bright colours, and an exposed staircase.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Atlantis, good luck if you missed it. You\u2019d have to be blind,\u201d says FortBrescia. \u201cWe had a building that was essentially a billboard for us. It caught people\u2019s attention, and Miami Vice was one of the many who picked up on it. My god, everybody knew who we were because of that show.\u201d<\/p>\n
Born and raised in Peru, Fort-Brescia was immersed in construction and design from the start\u2014his grandfather founded one of the country\u2019s biggest real estate developers, Grupo Brescia. Studying in Europe, where he visited archaeological sites in his spare time, further fuelled his architectural ambitions.<\/p>\n
Eventually, he earned a Bachelor of Architecture at Princeton University and a Master of Architecture from Harvard, where he met his future wife and business partner, Spear.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur graduation coincided with the big mid-70s recession, so it was very difficult to find a proper job,\u201d Fort-Brescia says. \u201cI took up a job at the University of Miami, and we started a small studio while teaching.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were young but found clients who believed in us. We still honour them today, and the rest is history.\u201d<\/p>\n
Still, the firm\u2019s inexperience and Miami base also proved a challenge. In an era when US design firms almost exclusively operated from coastal hubs, a bunch of recent grads working out of backwater Miami were always going to struggle.<\/p>\n
\u201cYouth is often questioned but also seen as a breath of fresh air,\u201d Fort-Brescia says. \u201cWe were not from the traditional major cities of the time and had a lot to prove coming from a less established place. But we were also able to be more experimental and less constrained by preconceptions.\u201d<\/p>\n
In the 1970s, Miami was still largely seen as a destination for retirees, dominated by blue-hair brigades, retirement resorts, and impoverished inner-city neighbourhoods. Architecturally, it was better known for its faded beachfront Art Deco hotels and its sprawling, uninspired suburban developments.<\/p>\n
What Arquitectonica couldn\u2019t have predicted was that Magic City\u2019s fortunes were set to change practically overnight. The influx of international investment, a burgeoning cultural scene, and Miami\u2019s emergence as a key player in global trade and finance transformed the city\u2014and Arquitectonica found itself at the forefront of this metamorphosis.<\/p>\n
As Miami\u2019s skyline began to rise, so too did Arquitectonica\u2019s influence. Following the success of the Atlantis Condominium, the firm continued to make bold statements across the city. The Icon Brickell complex, with its trio of towering structures and sweeping views of Biscayne Bay, reimagined luxury urban living and became a symbol of Miami\u2019s newfound cosmopolitan identity.<\/p>\n
Similarly, the American Airlines Arena, with its striking design and prominent location on the waterfront, became a cultural landmark and testament to the city\u2019s modern architectural renaissance.<\/p>\n
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Meanwhile, the firm\u2019s projects along the Brickell Avenue Corridor, once a staid business district, injected energy and elegance into the area, helping to establish it as the city\u2019s financial heart. Arquitectonica didn\u2019t just build in Miami\u2014they built Miami.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had no grand plans,\u201d Fort-Brescia explains. \u201cWe just treated every new project as our first project. We focused on our job. Focused on the task and a dream. The growth was a byproduct.<\/p>\n
Fort-Brescia\u2019s design philosophy, rooted in modernism and unbounded by traditional constraints, shines through in his work: \u201cWe never self-imposed barriers to expression. Black, white, and beige were not the only colours available for expression. We loved modernism, especially constructivism and cubism.\u201d<\/p>\n
This willingness to push boundaries is evident not only in their Miami projects but also in their global portfolio. As Arquitectonica\u2019s reputation grew, so did its reach, leading to major projects in Asia. FortBrescia\u2019s love for exploration and exposure to diverse cultures played a significant role in this expansion. \u201cI study about every new place I go. Read about not just its architectural culture but also general history, art, customs, construction methods, even gastronomy and fashion. All are part of design insight,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n
One of Arquitectonica\u2019s most notable projects in Asia was the Mall of Asia in Manila, one of the largest shopping malls in the world, which exemplified the firm\u2019s ability to blend scale with accessibility and local context. Another significant achievement was Riviera TwinStar Square in Shanghai, a project that stands as a testament to the firm\u2019s innovative use of geometry and pattern, hallmarks of its design philosophy.<\/p>\n
In Hong Kong, the Festival Walk development, featuring its dramatic suspended escalators, exemplified Arquitectonica\u2019s ability to marry functionality with visually striking elements, creating a space that is practical and memorable. Meanwhile, the International Finance Centre in Seoul, particularly its night expression, became a beacon of modernity in a rapidly evolving urban landscape.<\/p>\n
Arquitectonica\u2019s impact in Asia is also evident in Singapore\u2019s Orchard Scotts project, where colourful geometry redefined residential living, and in the Mega Tower in Manila, whose undulating form reflects innovation and respect for the local environment.<\/p>\n
Through these projects and others across 54 countries, Arquitectonica has not only contributed to the global architectural landscape but has also embodied a spirit of adventure and discovery. As Fort-Brescia puts it, \u201cI love exploration and was visually stimulated by every new place I visited. Loved exposure to other cultures and still do. I have now worked around the world, which was always my dream.\u201d<\/p>\n
Just as Miami Vice immortalised the Atlantis Condominium in the minds of millions, Arquitectonica has left an indelible mark on Miami and beyond. The city that once served as a backdrop for pastel-hued crime dramas has evolved into a global architectural icon, with its skyline a testament to the visions that Fort-Brescia and Spear dared to realise.<\/p>\n
International Finance Centre Seoul, South Korea<\/strong><\/p>\n Spanning 507,075 square metres, the International Finance Centre Seoul stands as a significant architectural landmark with three office towers ranging from 150 to 250 metres in height. The towers feature a dynamic crystal-like form, defined by chamfered corners that contribute to their striking presence in the skyline. The design harmonises the towers with lush public spaces and integrates a 40-storey Conrad Seoul Hotel and a vast underground retail mall. As Fort-Brescia puts it, \u201cWe envisioned the towers as dynamic crystals, emerging to redefine Seoul\u2019s skyline with both efficiency and elegance,\u201d reflecting the seamless flow and sophisticated aesthetic that characterise the development.<\/p>\n Agricultural Bank of China and China Construction Bank Headquarters, Shanghai, China<\/strong><\/p>\n On the historic Shanghai Shipyard Site, the development features two 50-storey towers that evoke the form of a ship\u2019s hull, creating a symbolic gateway to Celebration Park on the Huangpu River. Complementing these are two 18-storey Mandarin Oriental buildings, one a flagship hotel, and the other luxury residences. Fort-Brescia notes that \u201cthe ship-like design anchors the site\u2019s maritime legacy, integrating it with contemporary architectural forms.\u201d This blend of modernity and historical reference is key to the development, which unites Shanghai\u2019s rich maritime history with cutting-edge design.<\/p>\n Mega Tower, Manila, Philippines<\/strong><\/p>\n The Mega Tower, a 50-storey office development in Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila, captures attention with its curvilinear, S-shaped design. \u201cThe tower\u2019s flowing form is a statement of architectural evolution,\u201d explains Fort-Brescia, \u201cblending efficiency with a bold aesthetic that redefines the city\u2019s landscape.\u201d As a LEED BD+C Gold Certified structure, the tower offers 112,000 square metres of Class-A office space and serves as a gateway to the Ortigas Central Business District. Its undulating form not only meets functional needs but also contributes a sculptural element to Manila\u2019s skyline.<\/p>\n Mount Parker Residences, Hong Kong<\/strong><\/p>\n Mount Parker Residences, located in Quarry Bay, is a luxury residential development that combines contemporary design with environmental sustainability. The project spans 2,540 square metres and includes multiple towers, a twostorey entrance lobby, and extensive amenities such as a clubhouse. \u201cOur approach was to embrace the site\u2019s natural contours,\u201d says Fort-Brescia, \u201ccreating a development that is both environmentally responsible and architecturally progressive.\u201d This design responds to the site\u2019s irregular shape, integrating seamlessly with the natural landscape and aligning with the client\u2019s forward-thinking vision.<\/p>\n Landmark East, Hong Kong<\/strong><\/p>\n Landmark East in Kwun Tong district is a twin-tower office development characterised by interlocking planes and a rectilinear slab design. The 43-storey and 40-storey towers, offering over 45,000 square metres of flexible office space, have floor plates carefully designed to maximise harbour views. The slanted angles and intersecting volumes create a sense of movement and dynamism. \u201cThe dynamic interplay of intersecting volumes energises the site,\u201d says Fort-Brescia, \u201ctransforming it into a striking architectural composition that resonates with Hong Kong\u2019s energy and ambition.\u201d<\/p>\n Spirit of Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam<\/strong><\/p>\n The Spirit of Saigon, a 224-metre-tall mixed-use development, is poised to become a defining feature of Ho Chi Minh City\u2019s skyline. The project comprises two towers symbolising Vietnam\u2019s legendary dragons, connected by a multi-level retail podium. \u201cThe Spirit of Saigon embodies the essence of Ho Chi Minh City,\u201d explains Fort-Brescia, \u201cmerging cultural symbolism with sleek, modern forms to create a landmark that resonates with both the past and the future.\u201d The towers house a Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Grade-A offices, and luxury apartments, offering a new urban landmark in the city\u2019s heart.<\/p>\n T<\/em>his article was originally published on\u00a0asiarealestatesummit.com<\/a>. Write to our editors at\u00a0propertyreport@propertyguru.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Bernardo Fort-Brescia and his design practice Arquitectonica are making a seismic impact in Asia from an HQ in Florida<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":42497,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[541,97],"tags":[215,607],"class_list":["post-42494","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-design-focus","category-magazine","tag-asia","tag-design","news_country-asia","news_author-liam-aran-barnes"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.asiapropertyawards.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/International-Finance-Centre-Seoul-South-Korea.webp\")
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