Speakers
Alan Shulman, FAIA | Principal, Shulman + Associates
Buoyant City: This framework argues that historic preservation must be redeployed as an active, adaptive tool rather than a static restriction. It calls for Miami Beach’s historic districts to “evolve to survive” by allowing new layers of urban fabric to grow from within existing neighborhoods. The guidelines provide a pragmatic roadmap for rehabilitating and elevating structures to ensure these districts withstand the next 60 years of rising waters.
Jeffrey Huber, FAIA, ASLA, NCARB, LEED AP | Principal + Director of Urban Design
& Landscape Architecture, Brooks + Scarpa; Director, FAU School of Architecture
Salty Urbanism: Based on Huber’s “Salty Urbanism: A Design Manual for Urban Adaptation,” this framework investigates coastal and ecological systems as drivers of design. It proposes layered landscapes and infrastructure that shift the focus from “defending” against water to “reconciling” with it. By integrating ecosystem services into the urban fabric, Salty Urbanism envisions a future where the city functions with saturated landscapes rather than resisting them.
Aaron DeMayo, AICP, Assoc. AIA, WEDG | Founder, Future Vision Studios; Chair, City of Miami Climate Resilience Committee
The Coastline: This strategy proposes completing a continuous regional coastal defense system that functions as a green corridor. By providing physical protection against storm surge and sea level rise, it secures the stability required for long-term adaptation. This defense affords municipalities the safety and time to navigate complex future transitions, such as zoning updates or managed retreat.
About Open House Miami
Open House Miami is a free festival produced by the Miami Center for Architecture & Design. It is part of the Open House Worldwide network, a global effort to make cities more open, accessible, and equitable by providing unique views and perspectives to residents and visitors.
