The First South Florida Sustainable Building

Conference and Exhibition Review

The First South Florida Sustainable Building Conference in Miami has marked out an ambitious set of goals for one of the most exotic corners of the United States. Sandwiched on a narrow swath of land between the Atlantic Ocean and the Everglades, strung out on Suburban sprawl, and already taxing their water supply, the millions of people who already live on Florida's fabulous Gold Coast prepare for the influx of millions more.

Green Action Agenda: Recommendations from the First South Florida Sustainable Building Conference by Harrison Bright Rue This "first cut" at a summary of all the proposed goals discussed at the conference was compiled by Harrison Bright Rue, a leader of South Florida's budding Sustainability movement.

Seven Transformative "Best Practices" To Improve The Way We Build: Keynote Address by Donald Watson Architectural Guru Donald Watson set the sustainability keynote with principles for design professionals. Challenges and Opportunities for Design in Sustainable Development by mayor of West Palm Beach, Nancy M. Graham. Every city must find its center. A visionary mayor is massaging life into the heart of West Palm Beach. Miami Beach: A History of Boom to Bust to Boom by Nancy Liebman, Miami Beach City Council Miami Beach re-discovered its true wealth--and its identity--by defeating the blind greed of an old city hall establishment. Barriers to Infill Development by Carol Dekle and Phyllis Mofson If South Florida's growth is to be sustainable, the key is high-quality infill development. The secret is shared vision. Bioregionalism: Watershed Planning and Community Design by Daniel Williams Green By Design by Daniel Williams Architect/Planner Dan Williams stands at the green center of South Florida's gigantic water question. Outlines of his two conference presentations tell why. Environmental Design Process and the Team Approach by Sandra Mendler Hellmuth, Obata and Kassabaum (HOK), a leading international architecture and engineering firm, reveals its philosophy and ten steps to "green-up" basic specs. Whole Building Commissioning: Overview by Larry Peterson Building owners who want cost-savings and high-quality need to commission the whole building--including the building envelope. Importance of Landscape in Sustainable Development: Cool Communities, by Nancy Masterson of American Forests. Trees, lovely trees are the most important part of a green and sustainable future. Eco-Landscaping: Trees and Global Warming by Jack Parker. Trees may be the best way to help keep South Florida from disappearing under a rising Atlantic Ocean.