Simply Abu Dhabi XX

2 6 8 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I A personal favourite the area is the Wynwood Walls – an open- air park that extends beyond the boundaries for several blocks in all directions and features eye-popping urban murals and graffiti of the highest level. Ryan the Wheelbarrow is a street artist and a great tour guide around this area, explaining the art and the creators behind it, providing insight into the styles and etiquette of this often overlooked art movement. The art scene can keep visitors busy for weeks in Miami but a final recommendationmust be for the staggeringMuseumPark – an ecologically conscious public space perched over the azure waters of Biscayne Bay. The park houses the latest architectural wonders such as the Perez Art MuseumMiami (PAMM). This sustainably designed building by Herzog & De Meuron boasts 200,000 square feet of contemporary art, alongside educational tours and Verde, a waterfront restaurant and bar with locally inspired seasonal menus. Huge self-watering columns of flora and fauna are suspended around the building and it feels like a glimpse of a building in a utopian metropolis of the future. Architectural Heights There is a great reason to return to Museum Park next year as construction work is steadily marching on for the completion of the Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science. Designed by GrimshawArchitects and due to open in 2016, this vast space will replace in spectacular fashion the old science museum originally located in Coconut Grove. Alongside the many new buildings there is also the rich architectural heritage of Miami to admire. There is a broad variety of architectural styles ranging from Vernacular and Mediterranean Revival to DepressionModerne and, of course, Art Deco. Head to Ocean Drive in South Beach and check out the world’s largest collection of Art Deco Architecture – more than 800 buildings. Celebrating their 40th anniversary and with offices on Ocean Drive, the Miami Design Preservation League (MDPL) founded by Barbara Capitman and friends, is the oldest Art Deco Society in the world and they offer insightful and engaging tours. While they can’t show 800 buildings, they take small groups around the city and showcase the best examples. They are an admirable non-profit organisation doing a great job of preserving, protecting, and promoting the cultural, environmental and architectural integrity of the Miami Beach district. As for the future of the city’s architecture, it’s on course to being bright and bold. As Miami evolves into a 21st century arts and culture melting pot, some of the most renowned architects of the day are taking commissions here, with the likes of Zaha Hadid, Frank Gehry, Cesar Pelli, Robert A.M. Stern and Sou Fujimoto all making their mark on the Miami’s skyline. Foodies Fear Not Despite the fact there is an indisputable proliferation of fast food in theUS,Miami has cultivated a cooking hot cuisine scene. Don’t get me wrong, I love the occasional burger, but if you’re going to spend some time inMiami then some world-class food has got to be on the menu… and thankfully it most certainly is.

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