After Hurricane Andrew hit South Florida 1992 with catastrophic effect, the city of Miami Beach hired architect William Lane to design new lifeguard towers, as a way to symbolize the city’s revival and to lift the spirits of its inhabitants.
Lane was influenced by the work of his friend, the renowned Miami architect Morris Lapidus—who is known for his bold and geometric style—called Miami Modern, MiMo for short, whose roots are found in the city’s Art Deco and mid-century architecture. Lane’s whimsical creations are architectural art forms that are dramatic expressions of the identity and culture of Miami Beach. And his parade of a rainbow of colors is not only a nod to the city’s bright tropical flora but also an homage to the Pride Flag and Miami’s LGBTQ community, of which he is a member.
In his book, Lifeguard Towers: Miami, fine art photographer, Tommy Kwak, showcases all 36 of the kaleidoscopic structures, which stand at regular intervals from the tip of Miami Beach at South Point Park, up to 86th Street.
Kwak says he was “drawn to the contrast between the vibrant towers and the wide, open backdrop of the ocean, adding that he “started with just a few—the pink one on 17th Street and the green on 18th. After that, I was hooked. I loved how each tower had its own eccentric design and vibrant color palette.”
Kwak holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from California College of the Arts and also studied at the International Center of Photography in New York. He is known for large-format color photographs that focus on nature and landscape. His work has been exhibited internationally.