Steven Brooke's artistic predecessors, the 17th- and 18th-century viewpainters and engravers, were often associated with one city: Piranesi in Rome, Canaletto in Venice, and Roberts in the Holy Land. Similarly, Brooke has made the documentation of his city, Miami, a significant part of his life's work. He has selected the architecture that best represents the diverse architectural heritage that is Miami, including Mediterranean and Italianate Revival, tropical vernacular, tropical modern, Art Deco, nautical and streamline modern, mid-century modern, and the best of the most recent additions to the city's fabric. Also included are buildings that are on Miami's "most endangered" list.
Because Miami is a relatively new city, architecture from the 10s, 20s, 30s, and 40s is often not as valued as, say, the 200- or 300-year old buildings of the American Northeast. However, Miami's relatively recent buildings are its heritage, and are deserving of constant vigilance to preserve them. Steven Brooke's work continues to be in service of these efforts.
