Altos Chic Residence, Miami
Orlando Comas, ASLA Landscape Architect
The upcoming Hardscape Issue of Landscape Architect and Specifier News saw many firms submit their projects for feature consideration. This project was not chosen for a Feature in the issue, but we at LandscapeArchitect.com thought the project deserved to be showcased online . . .
The Altos Chic Residence in Miami, FL was design by Landscape Architect Orlando Comas. The project's most significant challenges were design code requirements to be met. (1) Florida's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regulation required that all sand from excavation of piles, pile caps, spa, and pool must remain within the site. (2) meet City of Miami Beach building code required all construction east of the Coastal Construction Line be break-away. Break-away is a wall or other material used as retention walls that is not part of the structural support of the building and is intended to collapse under specific lateral loading forces without causing damage to the building or its foundation system to which they might be carried by floodwaters. (3) City code requirement to keep all runoff waters within the site.
The landscape architect used natural south Florida oolite stone, which did not need piles or foundations, to create different layers of retaining walls
which allowed space to place all the excavated fill. The first layer of stone retaining walls was placed away from the property lines to allow space for
contours to form slopes which would direct runoff and filter it as it as it deposits into swales.
Bio
Florida licensed landscape architect Orlando Comas is nearing his fifty years enjoying a career in landscape architecture. He owns the compelling
enthusiasm of creating outdoor environments for a select clientele. His dedication has taken him to South, Central America, the Caribbean and South Florida. Every day he looks forward to his daily synthesis process of combining experience, the natural environment, new materials, and the pleasure of offering his clients fresh new ideas.
