PAMM - Pérez Art Museum Miami

The Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) is a striking cultural landmark on Biscayne Bay, designed by the renowned architectural firm Herzog & de Meuron to reflect both the city’s tropical climate and the dynamic spirit of a rising museum. Opened in 2013, the three-story building rests on an elevated platform and beneath an expansive canopy, creating shaded plazas and verandas that seamlessly connect the museum to its lush surroundings. Working with landscape designers and horticulturists, the architects envisioned the space as a living garden, where cascading vegetation and tropical plants blur the boundaries between nature and architecture.

Inside, PAMM offers a fluid and engaging visitor experience. The building’s layout features a series of interconnected galleries and public spaces, with permanent collection displays woven into transitional areas, ensuring that art accompanies guests throughout their journey. Transparency on the first and third levels creates a sense of openness, housing welcoming spaces such as the lobby, auditorium, museum shop, and café on the first floor, while the third floor accommodates educational facilities and offices.

The heart of the museum lies on the second floor, where expansive galleries showcase both the permanent collection and temporary exhibitions. Designed primarily with inward focus to immerse visitors in art, these spaces also incorporate carefully placed windows, framing views of the bay and surrounding park. Natural light filters in, balancing the intimacy of the galleries with glimpses of Miami’s vibrant landscape.

The museum’s canopy, with its perforations and plantings, not only provides shade but also transforms the exterior into an open-air garden, offering multiple transitions between city, park, and waterfront. This integration of environment and design reflects Miami’s identity and enhances the visitor experience.

PAMM’s adaptable architecture ensures room for growth, allowing new walls or galleries to be added without interrupting operations. As Miami continues to emerge as a global arts hub, the museum stands as a symbol of innovation, resilience, and cultural connection.