Cartier Flagship Miami Unveils Fluid Glass Facade by DS+R

Diller Scofidio + Renfro (DS+R) have transformed Cartier’s Miami Design District flagship at 147 NE 39th Street with a striking undulating glass facade. The curved, multi-panel surface is composed of high-performance laminated glass with a subtle gradient of transparency, engineered to capture and refract sunlight throughout the day. Inspired by a 1909 Cartier brooch, the facade features a delicate, abstract pattern etched directly into the glass, creating a visual rhythm that appears and disappears as shadows shift, softening the boundary between interior and exterior while drawing attention from the street.

Elizabeth Diller, founding partner of DS+R, notes that the undulating skin is designed to “draw in passersby while knitting together the store and the street.” The curvature of each panel subtly mirrors pedestrian movement along the Miami Design District’s shaded walkways, aligning the boutique’s architectural presence with the district’s open, airy atmosphere. At night, the glass refracts interior lighting into a warm, diffused glow, turning the building into a luminous landmark that maintains Cartier’s sense of intimacy and exclusivity.

The facade’s interaction with light continues inside, where Laura Gonzalez’s interiors complement the exterior’s motifs. The etched patterns echo vegetal and coastal references, seamlessly connecting interior columns, ceilings, and display areas with the layered design of the glass. The combination of precision-milled panels and hand-finished detailing showcases a dialogue between technological mastery and artisanal craftsmanship, emphasizing both Cartier’s heritage and DS+R’s contemporary design ethos.

This Miami flagship exemplifies the potential of architectural glass as both functional and artistic material. By combining curvature, light modulation, and intricate surface patterning, the undulating facade transforms a luxury boutique into a kinetic, luminous landmark, offering a sensory journey for visitors while establishing Cartier as an innovative presence within the urban fabric of the Miami Design District.