Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)
North Miami
2022 Vision Plan
24,350 SF (CURRENT FACILITY) • 42,625 SF (W/ PROPOSED ADDITIONS)
The Museum of Contemporary Art in North Miami presents contemporary art and its historical influences through exhibitions, educational programs, and collections. Inspired by its surrounding communities, MOCA connects diverse audiences and cultures by providing a welcoming place to encounter new ideas and voices, and nurturing a lifelong love of the arts. The 2022 document Envisioning the Future Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami, developed by Davis Brody Bond in collaboration with MOCA, presents a Vision Plan and goals for expanded museum facilities and programming that will:
• Maximize the ability to host diverse artists and innovative exhibitions
• Provide for expanding education and community programs
• Preserve the Museum’s iconic identity
• Address the rapid population growth of North Miami
• Update the Museum’s aging infrastructure
MOCA aspires to be a welcoming center at the heart of North Miami where art and art experiences flow in and out of the building — activating parks, schools, homes, and civic spaces; and connecting local and global conversations about art. MOCA will tap into the cultural energy of the region to bring new art and perspectives to the public, building on North Miami’s legacy as a cultural destination. Visitors and the community can expect thought-provoking exhibitions that feature under-explored art and artists, and lift up diverse voices and stories.
The current 1996 facility, designed by Charles Gwathmey, limits MOCA’s overall growth (programmatic, attendance, and revenue), and the museum needs to expand and renovate to achieve its strategic objectives. The City of North Miami, along with the rest of South Florida, is rapidly growing. The local arts scene is bursting with energy, and art and museums are key drivers of economic development and the region’s character. As the City begins to plan for future, MOCA should lead the way. For MOCA to be a flourishing cultural hub in NoMi, the museum needs to expand. MOCA is treasured by the community and should evolve hand-in-hand with the City of North Miami’s growth.
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The museum needs to keep up with the growing goals and mission of the institution, and with some updates the architecture can meet MOCA’s mission, vision, and expanding programmatic offerings.
New Entry Sequence & Street Presence
A new Entry Hall and Gateway will create a community gathering space that is reflective of MOCA’s goal to be a civic and cultural hub.
New Gallery & Extended Hours of Operation
Doubling MOCA’s gallery capacity to include 8,000 square feet of digitally wired exhibition space will allow MOCA to remain open to the public 52 weeks per year and drive consistent foot traffic to downtown NoMi.
New Multi-Purpose Flex Space
MOCA seeks to increase programmable space with an inspiring high-tech flex space for programs and large-scale events.
New Education Suite
A dedicated education wing with space for 100 students and state of the art digital assets will more than meet the increased demand of a growing community and beyond.
New Administration Suite
An upgraded office suite will support the additional staffing resources in order for program growth to succeed. -
Lobby / Entry Hall: ±1,550 GSF
Education Suite: 3,000
Temporary Gallery: 7,550
Permanent Gallery: 8,000
Multi-Purpose Flex Space: 6,000
Museum Shop: 1,125
Administrative Suite: 5,600
Restrooms: 1,500
Storage: 5,100
Loading: 1,950
Support: 1,250
Sub-Total: ±42,625
Additional GSF Required to meet Total: 18,155 Additional MEP/Support Req’d (@60%): 10,845 Total Additional GSF Required: ±29,000 -
Museum Board of Trustees
William M. Lehman, Jr., Chairman
Mayor Philippe Bien-Aime
Dr. Laura P. Alonso-Gallo
Christopher Carter
Akiva Gross
Peggy Hollander
Melissa Hunter Davis
Mireille Louis Charles
Jared Margolis
Dr. Rudolph Moise
Cherrie Nanninga
Marc Napolitano
Dr. Laurinus Pierre
Sebastien Alfred Scemla
All Drawings & Ideas shown in Envisioning the Future of the Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami are the intellectual property of Davis Brody Bond & the Museum of Contemporarty Art North Miami, 2022.
(Renderings and Diagrams by Davis Brody Bond and Unmarked)
Downtown NoMi: Existing
The North Miami downtown business district, affectionately named NoMi, is undergoing significant economic redevelopment along the main 125th Street corridor. Private and public partnership developments will bring new residents along with new commercial tenants leading to more traffic and increased tourism. MOCA is sited along the 125th Street corridor, prominently located in the heart of downtown within the municipal district. The site, between 7th and 8th Avenues, links I-95 with the residential and commercial communities along the Atlantic coast. Approximately 30,000 passenger and commercial vehicles use this route each day.
Downtown NoMi: Future Developments
North Miami’s plans to revitalize and redevelop its downtown has spurred development projects along the 125th Street corridor, including major street improvement projects. While Municipal and Community Redevelopment Agency properties are slated for redevelopment, private developments are already proposed and approved throughout and around the NoMi business district. As a cultural hub for the community and more broadly Miami-Dade County, MOCA should lead in the emerging regeneration of the 125th Street corridor. Expanded space and hours of operation will bring new residents and museum patrons who will in turn patronize NoMi shops and restaurants. The 125th Street corridor has enormous growth potential; the new MOCA strives to make the most of it.
MOCA Today
MOCA’s 1996 facility, designed by Charles Gwathmey, has a striking architectural composition that is important to the identity of the institution. However, with increasingly limited space and setback behind a large plaza along the busy 125th Street corridor, the museum needs to expand its facility and increase its prominence in order to meet its mission and the needs of the community. Using the proposed massing the museum can sensitively expand beyond the existing facility and celebrate the Gwathmey icon.
MOCA Tomorrow
The proposed expansion features a redesigned Entry Sequence into the Pavilion that includes new and renovated public spaces; additional massing on the first and second floors to provide space for a second Gallery, an expanded Education Suite and programs, a new Multi-Purpose Flex Space and Terrace, and new Administration and Support spaces. A prominent Gateway for the museum will stand against the 125th Street corridor along with The Box, a Multi-Purpose Band Stage & Event Support to further activate the Plaza.
Redesigned Museum Entry Sequence
A redesigned entry sequence with a new Lobby and Entry Hall will create a more visible and accessible museum entrance and provide a community gathering space that is reflective of MOCA’s goal to be NoMi’s civic and cultural hub.
Existing Museum Massing
(1) Entry Sequence with Hall, Shop, & Restrooms, ±2,600 sf; (2) Pavilion with Education Space, ±2,050 sf; (3) Temporary Gallery, ±7,550 sf; (4) Administration, ±4,100 sf; Storage, Support, & Loading, ±8,050 sf; (6) MOCA Plaza; (7) Paradise Court. Total Existing Program Space = ±24,350 sf
Proposed Additions
(A) New Gateway & Event Box @125th Street, ±500 sf; (B) Renovated Entry Sequence with Lobby, Hall, Shop, & Restrooms, ±1,500 sf; (C) New Corridor, ±1,000 sf; (D) Extension for New Permanent Gallery & Support, ±4,000 sf; (E) New Multi-Purpose Flex Space & Terrace @ 2nd Floor, ±10,500 sf; (F) New Administration Suite @ 2nd Floor, ±6,000 sf; (G) Off-Site Storage, ±5,500 sf. Total Proposed Additional Program Space = ±29,000 sf
Enhanced Public Presence
MOCA is set back from the street beyond a large plaza used for public events. By creating a new Gateway and reinforced identity along 125th Street, MOCA’s presence as the cultural heart of NoMi will be dramatically enhanced. The Gateway, with a permanent Band Stage, will help support many events on the plaza as part of the museum’s public programming.