207 NE 59th Street, Miami, FL 33137
In the heart of Little Haiti, Miami, a vibrant project led by James Quinaz seeks to restore the cultural heritage of the community through color. The stretch along NE 2nd Avenue, from NE 56th to NE 62nd Streets, has recently undergone a colorful transformation, honoring the past while celebrating the present and future of this culturally rich neighborhood.
Historically, the architecture along NE 2nd Avenue was heavily influenced by the colonial legacy of the French. Victorian-style building facades, brought in during this period, whitewashed and erased the original Haitian influence on the area’s architecture. This colonial exercise diminished the visibility of Haitian crafts and cultural expressions in Little Haiti’s public spaces, replacing them with European styles that were alien to the local culture.
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In the heart of Little Haiti, Miami, a vibrant project led by James Quinaz seeks to restore the cultural heritage of the community through color. The stretch along NE 2nd Avenue, from NE 56th to NE 62nd Streets, has recently undergone a colorful transformation, honoring the past while celebrating the present and future of this culturally rich neighborhood.
Historically, the architecture along NE 2nd Avenue was heavily influenced by the colonial legacy of the French. Victorian-style building facades, brought in during this period, whitewashed and erased the original Haitian influence on the area’s architecture. This colonial exercise diminished the visibility of Haitian crafts and cultural expressions in Little Haiti’s public spaces, replacing them with European styles that were alien to the local culture.
“I’m mindful of that colonial mindset,” Quinaz explains. “In my color journey, I set out to restore what came before, to reclaim the traditional styles of Haiti that had been suppressed. The vibrant colors of Haitian fashion, art, and architecture, particularly those of Naïve art, became my primary inspiration.”
The inspiration for recoloring the buildings came from the loudness and boldness of Haitian fashion and art Naïf. The exuberance and spirit of these cultural references have long been the soul of Haitian identity, and they serve as the foundation for the new palette. Each color selected reflects the vibrant energy of the people, their stories, and their enduring connection to their homeland.
The revitalized buildings are now adorned in a range of bright, bold hues that mirror the joyous energy of Haiti’s streets, making a statement against the more muted tones of colonial architecture. This palette restores not only the visual landscape but also the spirit of Little Haiti, connecting it back to its Haitian roots.
Beyond color, the project also focused on restoring the Haitian heritage present in the original building signage. Quinaz took care to bring back the original typefaces and fonts, symbolic of the vibrant history of Haitian artisans and the bustling, creative spirit of Port-au-Prince.
Quinaz also honored the famed “gingerbread” architecture that has deep roots in Haitian architectural traditions. This style, known for its intricate woodwork and playful, decorative elements, was a natural fit for the vibrant facades of Little Haiti’s buildings. The inclusion of gingerbread architectural details pays homage to the historical and cultural richness of Haiti’s built environment.
Little Haiti’s story is not complete without acknowledging the rich horticultural traditions that Haitian immigrants have brought to the community. The tropical flora that now flourishes in Little Haiti is a direct reflection of the plants that have been carefully nurtured by the community over the years, brought from Haiti or cultivated locally to reflect the island’s lush landscapes.
“This project isn’t just about paint,” says Quinaz. “It’s about planting roots—literally and metaphorically. I wanted to honor the plants that thrive here and are a testament to the Haitian people’s resilience and commitment to preserving their heritage, even in the soil.”
In line with this, the Lakou Garden project—a future space inspired by traditional Haitian courtyards—aims to honor this horticultural history. This garden will act as a gathering place for the community, embodying the same values of collaboration, growth, and sustainability that have long been part of Haitian culture.
The recoloring of NE 2nd Avenue is more than just a facelift; it’s a reclamation of cultural identity. By drawing inspiration from Haitian architecture, fashion, and art, James Quinaz’s work breathes new life into the streets of Little Haiti while honoring its deep-rooted history. Through this project, the community can see itself reflected in its surroundings once again—a vibrant, bold, and unmistakably Haitian expression of pride and belonging.
