The New World Symphony

"Time changes everything except something within us which is always surprised by change." - Thomas Hardy

Miami Beach represents many faces of our culture: different ethnic backgrounds, different cultural interests, different geographic treasures, and many others to be discovered each time I visit.

My stroll through Lincoln Road Mall district is unavoidable activities during my stays in Miami Beach: shops, restaurants, and its routine open markets. The pedestrian friendly Lincoln Road has come a long way since its pioneering days in the 1980's. There are global luxury brands along with familiar world cuisines on the strip. My multiple visits have made me familiar with the venues and developed my routines around the Lincoln Road.

During one of my casual dinner gatherings with friends, we started talk about the new architectural development, the New World Symphony, designed by the Canadian architect Frank Gehry. Whenever Mr. Gehry does something the whole world talks and easily thrown critiques. The famous Mr. Gehry has designed another concert hall, one after the Disney concert hall in Los Angeles, and the connected academy as well.

With much of support from the local community associations and proud local citizens in Miami Beach, the symphony hall is close to its grand opening. Progressive façade of the parking structure appropriately illuminated with bright colored LED lighting system parallel to the mood of Miami Beach. The parking garage isn't as prolific as the one Herzog DeMueron's parking garage, but the symphony hall's garage is above the average. The landscape and its open space in the front of the symphony hall are facing east, appropriate for its sunset venues; such as, outdoor movies, charitable events, etc. At my first glance, the building isn't what we are familiar of Mr. Gehry's style. Although, through a restraint glass box, I can view Mr. Gehry's signature forms looming like gatherings of clouds. These unfolded, some curled, ribbon like elements are floating within interior of the symphony hall: caged in. I favor the approach: presented in a glass box as a work of sculpture.

As I stand from the exterior of the symphony hall, I get closer to the curtain wall and act like a noisy neighbor, wondering what the Jones are doing in their yard. Perhaps, there are promising surprises within its glass box, I'd anticipate exploring once its doors are open. The symphony hall is as much as a treasure to the Miami Beach community and it is a surprise to the visitors of the Miami Beach