Universidad de Miami - Lakeside Village

Lakeside Village at the University of Miami redefines campus life through the lens of landscape architecture, resiliency, and connection to place. Located on a formerly paved 12.5-acre site along Lake Osceola, this vibrant mixed-use student housing village transforms a waterfront parking lot into a biodiverse, pedestrian-focused landscape that blends living, learning, and community engagement.

Designed by ArquitectonicaGEO in collaboration with the University's Housing and Residential Life Department, Lakeside Village is the first phase of a campus-wide housing master plan. It consists of 25 interconnected buildings elevated above the ground plane, preserving the site for open space and public realm activation. The landscape is central to the design: a continuous tropical garden weaves through the complex, integrating circulation routes, social nodes, and resilient green infrastructure.

A signature feature is the 60,000 SF of sloped extensive green roofs across all structures, planted with native flowering species that evolve into low-maintenance meadows. These roofs reduce stormwater runoff, mitigate heat island effect, support pollinators, and are engineered to withstand 200mph winds-underscoring the site's climate-adaptive strategy.

Ground-level rain gardens, native tree canopies, and a pervious surface area of 70% make the project a model for low-impact development. Plantings span three vertical levels, offering a diversity of microclimates and ecological value, while elevated walkways and breezy courtyards foster human connection and passive climate control. Site-harvested limestone and salvaged canopy trees were reused in the design, reinforcing a sense of place and sustainability.

Recognized by the Landscape Architecture Foundation’s Landscape Performance Series, Lakeside Village exemplifies how integrated design can shape resilient, healthy, and engaging environments for future generations of students.