An Oasis in the Fast Lane: Transforming F1 Corporate Suites at Hard Rock Stadium

Each spring, Hard Rock Stadium in Miami becomes the home of one of motorsport's marquee events — the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix, run on a circuit built right around the stadium and drawing hundreds of thousands of fans over race weekend. As part of its corporate hospitality offering, the stadium makes private spaces available to companies that want to host clients and teams in a controlled environment, away from the crowds and sheltered from the Miami sun.
These spaces start with none of the glamour: a bare aluminum structure, recycled wood floors, and exposed temporary air-conditioning systems — all function, no finish. For years now, we've had the privilege of transforming these industrial shells into what feels like a permanent lounge.

The method is simple to describe and hard to execute: we treat every surface that reads as a temporary fix and build around it with refined finishes and richer textures. From "wallpapered" walls to upholstered panels to full carpeting, each layer softens the harsh tent feel into the warmth and character you'd expect in a permanent space. We add commercial-grade light fixtures at varying heights, mix eclectic seating and furniture, and — last but not least — style the small details that make all the difference: fruit displays on the food-station shelves, potted plants, books, and décor elements that bring flair to an otherwise blank room.

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At the center of it all is the master bar, the room's main gathering point. We designed and built it with insets of natural woven material for a tropical feel, topped by an overhead structure that carries pendant lights and gives the bar visual height and presence.

Sustainability shapes the build from the very first sketch. To reduce environmental impact, we use live plants in place of disposable centerpieces, repurpose old columns as pedestals or future structures, reupholster existing lounge pieces from our existing inventory to play well in the space, and design pieces that can be repurposed into future projects.
Ultimately, the work is about creating an oasis for the guests who experience the private suite — a retreat from the hot, hectic, and loud world of the race, where hospitality rules and everyone can settle in for a bite, a glass of wine, or a great conversation. As architects of temporary spaces, we look to protect future generations by minimizing the waste that's inevitable in our industry. Doing that without compromising the guest experience is always the challenge.