At The Residences at Mandarin Oriental, Miami, landscape is more than a setting, it is an essential element of the living experience. Set on the tranquil island of Brickell Key, the development introduces a thoughtfully designed natural environment that brings together architecture, ecology, and wellness in a seamless expression of island living.

Guiding this vision is Shma, the Thailand-based landscape architecture studio renowned for its innovative and environmentally conscious design approach. Meaning “the earth,” Shma brings together landscape architects, horticulturists, researchers, and designers who collaborate to create spaces that respond to both social and environmental needs.

For the team, the opportunity to contribute to The Residences at Mandarin Oriental, Miami represented a unique moment to apply their expertise in tropical landscape design within an extraordinary global collaboration.

“Nature is precious,” says Prapan Napawongdee, Founding Director of Shma. “We wanted to go beyond simply designing a garden. This project gave us the opportunity to bring our expertise in tropical design to a remarkable team.”

Napawongdee notes that the partnership itself elevated the project’s ambition.

“Swire is considered a top-tier world-class developer, and Mandarin Oriental is regarded as one of the finest names in hospitality. Being part of this collaboration has been incredibly meaningful for us.”

Designing with Nature

Rather than imposing a predetermined garden style, Shma began with research, studying the natural conditions that define the site and its surroundings.

“We started by understanding the geological patterns, the water flows, and the climate conditions of Miami,” Napawongdee explains. “From there, we began uncovering the incredible biodiversity that exists in this region.”

This approach informed a landscape strategy rooted in the ecological character of South Florida. The project will feature more than 100 species of plants, carefully selected to reflect the richness of Miami’s native and tropical ecosystems.

Arranged through Shma’s distinctive tropical design lens, the landscape will create layers of greenery that evolve naturally throughout the site, producing a lush and immersive environment.

A Vision of Biophilic Living

For Pat Wongkittipat, Design Director at Shma, the defining idea behind the landscape concept is the principle of biophilic living, creating environments that strengthen the connection between people and nature.

“What makes this project truly special is how we introduce biophilic living,” Wongkittipat explains. “We’re bringing the native ecosystem of Florida and Miami into the design and combining it with the remarkable architecture and interior spaces as one unified environment.”

Rather than existing as separate elements, the architecture, interiors, and gardens are conceived as an integrated composition, where greenery flows naturally through terraces, arrival sequences, and open-air spaces.

The result is a living landscape that feels both immersive and intentional, reinforcing a sense of calm and connection throughout the property.

Discovering Island Living

While Brickell Key sits just moments from the vibrant energy of downtown Miami, the landscape design creates a feeling of peaceful retreat. The Residences boast a 100,000-square-foot, multi-tiered podium that anchors the experience, an expansive garden environment unlike anything Miami has seen.

Shma envisioned the gardens as a journey through the island, one that unfolds gradually through pathways, open lawns, and quiet outdoor rooms. “We want residents to feel as though they are discovering their own private island,” says Wongkittipat. From shaded garden walks to expansive waterfront views, each landscape moment offers a different perspective on the natural beauty of the site.

A Collaborative Vision

For Shma, the project represents the power of collaboration between landscape, architecture, and hospitality.

“Working collaboratively and pushing the boundaries to create something truly unique for this visionary project has been a very rewarding journey,” Napawongdee reflects.

At The Residences at Mandarin Oriental, Miami, this shared vision results in more than a collection of gardens. It creates a living landscape, one that invites residents to reconnect with nature while experiencing the refined tranquility of island life.