Robert Behar & Javier Font – Architects
Behar Font & Partners, P. A. is a professional organization dedicated to the practice of architecture, planning, and interior design. Confident in our ability and experience, we continue to dedicate ourselves to the design of creative, functional, flexible and efficient projects.
You just can’t be afraid to do it, you just have to do it!
Robert and Javier having served as registered architects, each with over thirty-five years of architectural design, project management and development experience for a wide variety of project types that encompass all phases of commercial, hospitality and residential development.
In addition to the practice of architecture, Behar Font’s principal’s involvement in the community entails serving as board members to the City of Miami’s Urban Design Review Board, the City of Coral Gables’ Planning and Zoning Board, as well as multiple non-for-profit organizations.
Miami has always been known for its art deco and iconic architecture. How does your firm continues this legacy, but also contributes to the expanding development of Miami?
Many cities are identified by their architecture, and especially the skylines, whose silhouettes give a lasting expression. In Miami we have some very good building that contribute to our skyline and identity. When we take on a new project, we strive to be consistent with our design philosophies It’s our fundamental belief that every project shall not only be unique and sensible to its contextual surroundings, but it must create an identity that will last beyond our time.
It is impressive to witness the magnitude and diversity of projects you have developed in your careers as Behar Font but could you tell us about the core values and philosophy of your firm?
From the outset we made a very conscious decision to diversify our work amongst numerous sectors of the development industry. We understood that although architecture and development tend to be cyclical businesses, these cycles typically occur in individual markets in some sectors may actually be very strong at the same time other sectors are struggling.
This diversity has not only guaranteed the longevity of our firm the past 29 years but has also given us experience in almost all our architectural building types. To this end we are currently involved in projects for almost every type such as condo high-rises, affordable housing, apartment buildings, retail centers, hotels, office buildings, etc.
Robert and Javier, the uniqueness of your work has its own blueprint. What is that signature that makes Behar Font different from other architecture firms ?
We are very passionate about architecture and we like to get very involved in every project. We always represent our work in a manner that is consistent with what we are known for; so a lot of people will see our work and say: “oh that’s a Behar Font Project”, and over the years we have developed that consistency that makes us who we are today. Even though all our projects are different, there’s always that signature that define us.
We don’t like to say we are better than anyone else but what has been successful to us is that with limited budgets, we have produce excellent work. And that is the strongest aspect we have had because we understand architecture, we understand construction, we understand the development side of the project and everything that is required to achieve great results. That is our uniqueness; we do things differently than other architecture firms. It is easy to draw a pretty picture but if that pretty picture doesn’t work, it stays in paper. When we draw a pretty picture, we are aware of what it will cost to become a project and a very broad perception of what needs to happen.
We are stunned by the your latest project “Okan Tower” in Downtown Miami. Could you share with our readers how did you decide on the architectural structure for this mega high-rise condo building?
It’s a tremendous honor to be involved with this project. Rarely does a project comes along with such profound significance. Before we started putting ideas together, our team researched important and influential Turkish images and symbolic references for inspiration. The move we learned, the more we gravitated to the tulip flower. As the national flower, it was the ultimate inspiration.
From the beginning, the design of this building has been an evolution of poetic imagery. Our goal was to blend the two cultures, as such, the tulip was incorporated into our design because of its beauty and majestic form. Mixed with the vibrant culture of Miami, the design of the structure began taking shape, creating a powerful design statement.
At 72 stories, and 895 feet high, at completion it will be among the tallest building south of New York city. The Okan Tower will be very instrumental in creating an image that will always be associated with Miami.
What advice would you give as professionals to our readers on how to become a successful individual?
In our opinion, one of the main reasons why we’ve been successful is that we’ve never been afraid of anything. Architecture is a really thought career in the sense that when you start, you have no experience at all. Over the years you start to get more work or better work and this is why you see architects that don’t come into their game until they are 60 or 70 years old because it takes that long to get the right projects. What we’ve been able to do is to pick up work for projects that we’ve had zero experience, and that has been the hardest part of this business – seating across the table from a person and telling him “we’ve never done a hotel before, but we are your guys”. And that is not being afraid and take the steps that are required to do the things you’ve never done. That’s what has gotten us to all these sectors and where we are.
It’s a hard process because after you’ve done your first hotel, to tell someone “these are the last five hotels we did” it’s easy! But doing your first one is the toughest one; you just can’t be afraid to do it, you just have to do it! Basically, you just have to take chances!
(305) 740-5442
info@beharfont.com
