January 16, 2007
Green Building Symposium at University of Miami School of Architecture January 25-27, 2007
CORAL GABLES, FL – What are innovative green building techniques and practices? How can green building intersect with the traditions of vernacular architecture and sustainable urbanism? Find out at Under the Sun: Sustainable Innovations + Traditions, a green building symposium held by the Center for Urban and Community Design (CUCD) at the University of Miami’s School of Architecture on January 25-27, 2007.
Professionals, academics, government leaders, and students with an interest in green building are invited to attend this three-day conference to interact with peers as they learn about the issues surrounding green building from renowned practitioners. The conference will be organized as a series of lectures and panels. Topics will include: Conservation & Development: Design & Policy; Sustainable Urban Design; Building Sustainable Today; The Preservation of Historic Details; Environment, Law & Policy; and more. Guest speakers and panelists include: Alfred Browning Parker, Thorn Grafton, Gene Leedy, Carolyn Mitchell, George Reed, Sonia Chao, Jaime Correa, Denis Hector, Jan Hochstim, Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, Luis Trelles, and many others.
"In recent years, sustainability issues have attracted broad attention, meshing our need to preserve the natural and man-made realms, enhance and interrelate economic prosperity with social equity. Our intention behind this conference is to remind practitioners and make students aware of the fact that there exist alternatives to being 'green' which are not necessarily predicated on the use of technology. There exists a wide spectrum of choices to accommodate all building types, and budgets from passive methods to more assertive alternatives, thus eliminating any reason for as a designers or builders to not act responsibly today. This is not a question of style, as we have examples of sustainable architecture and urbanism, throughout history. And in the tropics, it was not until the advent of air-conditioning that we chose to ignore those lessons," said Sonia Chao, chairperson of the conference and newly named Director of the CUCD.
On January 26 at 5:00 p.m., keynote speaker Peter Brown, a leading green designer of institutional building from Perkins & Will, is giving a lecture. This session is a highlight for the conference as Brown is a renowned practitioner.
Attendees have the opportunity to receive 15 continuing education credits AIA for this conference. Registration is $375 ($425 after January 19, 2007) per person and sponsorship opportunities are available at the following levels: $150 (Orchid); $350 (Hibiscus); $450 (Palm); $500+ (Oak). Please note that registration is NOT confirmed until full payment is received. All events are taking place at the Glasgow Hall at the Jorge M. Perez Architecture Center on the Coral Gables Campus. Parking is provided free of charge at the Pavia Garage.
Two events are free and open to the public. On January 25 at 5:00 p.m., President Donna Shalala will introduce Dean Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, who will give a lecture on environmental conservation and how South Florida developers and designers can practice policies that will benefit the environment and consumer. The lecture will be followed by a screening of Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth,” both taking place in the Glasgow Hall at the Jorge M. Perez Architecture Center.
For a complete list of lectures, screenings, and panels and updated information about the Green Building Symposium, visit the School of Architecture’s website at www.arc.miami.edu/cucd. To register, please email Ivonne de la Paz at ivonne@miami.edu or call 305.284.3439.
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The University of Miami’s mission is to educate and nurture students, to create knowledge, and to provide service to our community and beyond. Committed to excellence and proud of the diversity of our University family, we strive to develop future leaders of our nation and the world. www.miami.edu
Contact:
Annette Herrera
anherrera@miami.edu
305-284-5500
