Royal Caribbean’s Innovation Lab at the Port of Miami is a 2-story, 21,000 SF addition and 30,000 SF interior renovation to the second floor of its headquarters. Housed in a three-story volume in the southwest corner of the expansion, the CAVE (Computer Assisted Virtual Experience) uses immersive virtual reality technology, including ceiling, floor, and wall projections, to bring ship designs to life.
The newly renovated office space includes open workstations, conference rooms, director's offices, storage areas, and a pantry. The ground floor of the Innovation Lab serves as a warehouse area with testing space, where full-size ship interior mock-ups can be constructed and evaluated. On the second floor, access to the CAVE is complemented by collaborative workspaces, a lounge, and a café. The structure incorporates an impact-resistant glass curtain wall system, while its cantilevered edge encircles the CAVE within a 270-degree radius.
The exterior features sandblasted white concrete panels with decorative aluminum fins attached to steel columns. These components blend with the precast elements of the existing headquarters while ensuring durability against the port’s harsh saltwater environment. This facility also required the removal of select precast panels to better integrate with the new design. The project was completed on an accelerated schedule, moving from schematic design to occupancy in just 10 months.
