FLMGO
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Butterfly Theater
Flamingo Park

Butterfly Theater

The Butterfly Theater is a living pavilion—part sculpture, part habitat, part playground. It takes inspiration from the elegance of flamingos and the presence of butterflies in Miami Beach, transforming the park’s open center into a place of movement, color, and quiet spectacle. It’s both a temporary event and a potential permanent resident: a soft landmark in the city’s landscape.

Like a flock of flamingos wading in shallow water, a field of thin steel columns stands lightly across the grass. Some are paired, some are staggered, creating a sense of rhythm and flow. Painted in soft, bright colors, they form a loose grid that’s playful, navigable, and ever-changing depending on your point of view.

Flamingo Park

PROGRAM: Butterfly Habitat

CONTEXT: Miami Beach, Florida, USA

SITE: Flamingo Park

TEAM: Bryan Maddock, Grace Infante

ORGANIZER: The City of Miami Beach

YEAR:
2025
AWARDS:
NEWS:
No items found.

Landscape

Ecology

Installations

Concept image of a flock of flamingos showing the density of the flamingo legs like architectural columnsConcept image of a flock of flamingos showing the density of the flamingo legs like architectural columnsConcept image of a flock of flamingos showing the density of the flamingo legs like architectural columnsConcept image of a flock of flamingos showing the density of the flamingo legs like architectural columns

Inspired by flamingos, the park’s namesake, slender paired columns echo their legs, rising gracefully to support rounded canopy forms—abstracted “bellies” that create a sculptural, elevated presence in the landscape.

Concept image of a flock of flamingos showing the density of the flamingo legs like architectural columns
Concept image of a flock of flamingos showing the density of the flamingo legs like architectural columns

PROJECT IMAGES

Overall aerial view of the Butterfly Theater in Miami Beach’s Flamingo ParkOverall aerial view of the Butterfly Theater in Miami Beach’s Flamingo ParkOverall aerial view of the Butterfly Theater in Miami Beach’s Flamingo ParkOverall aerial view of the Butterfly Theater in Miami Beach’s Flamingo Park
Underside forest made of the columns of the Flamingo Park Butterfly TheaterUnderside forest made of the columns of the Flamingo Park Butterfly TheaterUnderside forest made of the columns of the Flamingo Park Butterfly TheaterUnderside forest made of the columns of the Flamingo Park Butterfly Theater
Section diagram of the construction of the butterfly canopy component for the Butterfly TheaterSection diagram of the construction of the butterfly canopy component for the Butterfly TheaterSection diagram of the construction of the butterfly canopy component for the Butterfly TheaterSection diagram of the construction of the butterfly canopy component for the Butterfly Theater
Mood diagram of a lush tropical habitat with natural butterfliesMood diagram of a lush tropical habitat with natural butterfliesMood diagram of a lush tropical habitat with natural butterfliesMood diagram of a lush tropical habitat with natural butterflies
Aerial view showing the terraced stacking butterfly habitats in the Butterfly TheaterAerial view showing the terraced stacking butterfly habitats in the Butterfly TheaterAerial view showing the terraced stacking butterfly habitats in the Butterfly TheaterAerial view showing the terraced stacking butterfly habitats in the Butterfly Theater
Site plan of the Butterfly Theater in Flamingo Park on Miami Beach showing the canopy and the columnsSite plan of the Butterfly Theater in Flamingo Park on Miami Beach showing the canopy and the columnsSite plan of the Butterfly Theater in Flamingo Park on Miami Beach showing the canopy and the columnsSite plan of the Butterfly Theater in Flamingo Park on Miami Beach showing the canopy and the columns
Interior perspective of visitors observing the butterfly habitats within the Butterfly Theater in Flamingo ParkInterior perspective of visitors observing the butterfly habitats within the Butterfly Theater in Flamingo ParkInterior perspective of visitors observing the butterfly habitats within the Butterfly Theater in Flamingo ParkInterior perspective of visitors observing the butterfly habitats within the Butterfly Theater in Flamingo Park
Concept diagram combining butterfly habitats, flamingos and architectural componentsConcept diagram combining butterfly habitats, flamingos and architectural componentsConcept diagram combining butterfly habitats, flamingos and architectural componentsConcept diagram combining butterfly habitats, flamingos and architectural components
Exterior perspective of the Flamingo Park Butterfly Theater pavilionExterior perspective of the Flamingo Park Butterfly Theater pavilionExterior perspective of the Flamingo Park Butterfly Theater pavilionExterior perspective of the Flamingo Park Butterfly Theater pavilion
Concept image of a flock of flamingos showing the density of the flamingo legs like architectural columnsConcept image of a flock of flamingos showing the density of the flamingo legs like architectural columnsConcept image of a flock of flamingos showing the density of the flamingo legs like architectural columnsConcept image of a flock of flamingos showing the density of the flamingo legs like architectural columns
Concept image combining butterflies and flamingos as a dense natural ecosystemConcept image combining butterflies and flamingos as a dense natural ecosystemConcept image combining butterflies and flamingos as a dense natural ecosystemConcept image combining butterflies and flamingos as a dense natural ecosystem

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