CMUD Zoning & Massing Study
West Palm Beach, FL
MASTERPLANNING
“Architecture defines the buildings, but master planning defines the life between them.”
The CMUD Zoning and Massing Study was conceived as a visionary urban framework to guide future growth and development in a key waterfront corridor of West Palm Beach. This comprehensive study explored the integration of high-density residential towers, retail, civic, and open space components, all while respecting the city’s evolving zoning code and planning goals. Our team used massing models to visualize potential urban forms that prioritize views to the water, pedestrian connectivity, and the creation of a vibrant, mixed-use environment. The resulting proposal creates a flexible, high-impact blueprint for sustainable growth, with architecture acting as a mediator between density, livability, and identity.
The design emphasizes a layered public realm, where streetscapes are framed by activated ground floors, shaded pedestrian paths, and dynamic public spaces. The taller towers are strategically positioned to maximize daylight access, minimize wind impacts, and create a distinctive skyline that reflects the rhythm of the waterfront. Landscaped medians, bike lanes, and plazas foster human-scaled movement and social interaction, while the architectural language of the towers introduces a sculptural modernism that remains contextually grounded. The CMUD study serves not only as a technical zoning exercise but also as a design vision that positions West Palm Beach as a forward-thinking, connected, and design-led urban district.
