Ribbon-cutting at Homestead Bayfront Park for new Lifeguard Station built by University of Miami Design/Build Studio Program

On Saturday, June 6, 2020 at 10 a.m., Miami-Dade County Parks and Miami-Dade County District 9 Commissioner Dennis C. Moss will join University of Miami (UM) School of Architecture Design/Build Studio Program faculty and students to dedicate a new lifeguard station at Homestead Bayfront Park Atoll Beach Pool, 9698 SW 328th Street, Homestead.

The Lifeguard Station was designed and built from start to finish in 16 weeks by UM’s School of Architecture Design/Build Studio Program with 12 undergraduate and graduate students, under the direction of UM Design/Build Studio Co-Founders and Directors Rocco Ceo and Jim Adamson. They established the Design/Build Studio Program more than a decade ago to engage students in community-based work through the experience of a collaborative design process with a nonprofit partner, and hands-on construction to build what they draw. Each project is designed to contribute to the South Florida community.

The primary function of a lifeguard station is to provide a place for lifeguards to watch over and protect the community. This new station fulfills that purpose through unobstructed sightlines, daylong shade, protection from wind and rain, ample lockable storage to keep safety equipment watertight, and a ramp for fast access to the atoll beach pool.

With its unique, hand crafted, design, the new Lifeguard Station is built with sustainable materials. Its component parts, such as the lifeguard chair and lower ramp are designed to adjust to easily accommodate changing environmental conditions such as beach erosion. Its stainless steel fasteners; state-of-the-art aluminum gas shock panels that enable lifeguards to easily open and close the stand; and the decking, chair and hand rails made from recycled plastic material were all selected with resiliency and long-term use in a marine environment in mind. The roof and exterior walls are made of Western Red Cedar that weathers well and is resistant to termite damage. Additionally, the exterior of the roof is rubber coated to provide a seamless, low-maintenance surface that is ideal for high wind conditions.

A partnership between the University of Miami School of Architecture Design/Build Studio Program and Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department, this project represents more than 4,000 hours of work, with a faculty and student donation of time, knowledge and expertise in the amount of approximately $70,000.

View the video here.

MEDIA NOTES:
Continue to observe the social distancing guidelines of six feet of separation, and everyone should be wearing facial coverings.

Following the unrest associated with protests in our community, beaches will remain closed until the curfew order is lifted.

About Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces:
Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces is the third largest county park system in the United States, consisting of over 270 parks and over 13,800 acres of land. It is one of the most unique park and recreation systems in the world and focused on Placemaking, Health and Fitness and Conservation and Stewardship.

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