How to Maximize Waterfront Views Through Smart Residential Design by Miami Waterfront Home Architect
- Maria Luisa Castellanos
- 7 days ago
- 5 min read
Designing a waterfront home in Miami is a dream for many homeowners—but it’s also a unique architectural challenge. Beyond aesthetics, building near the water comes with technical considerations such as FEMA flood elevations, solar orientation, privacy, and making the most of every view. Whether you're building a brand-new home or adding to an existing one, understanding how to blend structural resilience with breathtaking design is key.
As a Miami waterfront home architect, I’ve designed homes that not only meet local codes but also take full advantage of their natural surroundings. Here’s how to maximize your waterfront views through smart residential design.
Start with the Elevation: Build Higher Than FEMA Requires
(1) If it will be a new home, you need to raise the house so that it is 1’-0” above what Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requires. This is a county ordinance. The reason for this is that you don’t want your house flooded during the next hurricane. FEMA determines the "100-year floodplain". This refers to an area that has a 1% chance of flooding in any given year, according to FEMA. It's a statistically defined area where a flood of that magnitude is expected to occur, on average, once every 100 years, but it doesn't mean it will only flood once in 100 years. And Miami-Dade County requires that you set your house 1’-0” above that elevation.
I think it would be even better to raise the new height to a higher elevation. With climate change and increased flooding, this will better protect the house in the future. It will also facilitate any future additions.
(2) If it is an addition to an existing house, it is more complicated because your present house is probably not above the required elevation. Read this article, it goes into more detail on this topic.
Think Like a Sun Chart: Optimize Room Orientation
Next is how to site the new home. You want to get the best views of the water, of course, but you also want to make sure that certain rooms are oriented the best way possible. For example, you want your main rooms like the living room, family room, and kitchen to get the mid-day sun, which in Miami, is a southern exposure. I like my bedrooms to get an eastern exposure so that the sun comes up in the morning where the bedrooms are located. The garage is best located to the west. This is an annoying sun with long shadows. This sun is to be avoided whenever possible. So the garage is perfect on the western side of the house. These guidelines are also useful for any additions to a house.
Of course, you want to balance these guidelines with how to get the best water views.
Miami Waterfront Home Architect Recommends that You Design the Outdoor Living Space Early
Another item you need to consider while still in the planning stages is where to put the pool or future pool. It is important to decide now to make sure the house will not be casting shadows on the entire pool and pool deck. If you site the house too close to the water, there may not be enough room to put in a pool later!
Also, remember that you want to build a covered terrace facing the water. Do not leave this as an afterthought. Miami is very hot and rainy in the summer, but under a roof, it can be pleasant at dusk and night.
Maximize Glass—But Choose Your Windows Wisely
Sometimes the best views are from the 2nd floor. Why not put a large open terrace with a roof on the second floor?
What kind of windows are you going to use? In South Florida, it is important to select:
Impact-rated glass
Low-E glass coatings to reduce solar gain
Where do you want the largest expanses of glass to capture the best views? What kind of shading devices do you want to use?
When selecting window locations, remember that east- and west-facing glass will receive the harshest sun. To combat this, I often recommend shading devices like:
Overhangs and roof extensions
Architectural eyebrows
Louvered panels or screens
These not only reduce glare and overheating but also add architectural character to your home’s exterior.
Design for Privacy Without Blocking the View
One of the subtle challenges in Miami waterfront design is balancing openness with privacy. Waterfront homes often have large expanses of glass facing the water—wonderful for views, but potentially exposing your interiors to neighbors across the canal or boat traffic.
Smart solutions include:
Landscaped privacy screens like palms or bamboo clusters.
Frosted glass or clerestory windows on side elevations.
Window tinting or smart glass that transitions from clear to opaque.
Use Materials That Withstand Coastal Conditions
The materials you choose for finishes and exteriors matter more in waterfront construction. Coastal homes in Miami are exposed to salt air, high humidity, and intense UV rays. Your selections should emphasize durability and low maintenance.
Some great material choices include:
This is Miami, concrete blocks for the outside walls are a must. No wood walls.
I recommend a concrete slab roof. Our weak link in Miami construction has always been wood trusses. You can read my article on this here.
Stucco and paint. And not the best paint either. You want the airborne water particles to easily pass back and forth through the walls so as not to get stuck in the walls and create mold.
Porcelain pavers for pool decks and terraces (non-slip and UV-resistant).
Stainless steel or marine-grade hardware for all flashing, railings and fixtures. You do not want to use the traditional steel flashing or it will degrade fast.
Tropical hardwoods or composite decking for boardwalks, pergolas, and docks.
Collaborate Early with a Miami Waterfront Home Architect
The earlier you involve an experienced Miami waterfront home architect, the better the outcome. Every site has its own microclimate, zoning regulations, and water features. Your architect should help you perform a site analysis, determine view corridors, and coordinate with mechanical, electrical, plumbing, civil engineers, and landscape designers to make sure the home works as a cohesive whole.
Final Thoughts
Designing a waterfront home is about much more than just maximizing views—it’s about balancing beauty, safety, sustainability, and lifestyle. From elevation and orientation to materials and outdoor spaces, smart design choices will allow you to enjoy the water from every angle while protecting your investment long-term.
If you're ready to design your dream waterfront home, Maria Luisa Castellanos, R.A., the principal of United Architects, at 305-439-7898 to schedule a consultation. We specialize in crafting custom residential projects that bring out the best in every property—and every view.
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