A special School of Architecture alumni reunion took place in early February at Seaside Florida, to celebrate the award of the 2024 Seaside Prize to Victor Dover (’88) and Joe Kohl (’88). Dover Kohl and Partners, established while its founders were graduate students at the University, invited their colleagues in practice from across the years to join them at the Seaside Institute’s 30th Anniversary Prize weekend. Among the weekend’s guest speakers were Phil Stoddard, former City of South Miami Mayor, and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, UM School of Architecture Professor.
The Seaside Prize, “recognizes individuals and organizations who through design, have changed the way we live. Prize winners are thought innovators in concepts, quality, and character of their industry and considered leaders of Contemporary Urban Development and Education, who have made their vision a reality; and ultimately our lives better.” The Prize is given by the Seaside Institute, a not-for-profit institution established shortly after the founding of the eponymous new community by town founders Robert and Daryl Davis. The Institute hosts cultural events that serve Florida panhandle residents year-round, including Escape to Create, a winter months artist and writers residency. The Prize, which is awarded annually, “celebrates individuals or organizations whose life’s work or accomplishments are emblematic of the Institute’s mission of inspiring livable communities”. Dover and Kohl join a pantheon of illustrious Prize winners that has included Gov. Bob Graham, author Witold Rybczynski, and architects Robert Stern, Christopher Alexander and Robert Krier.
Dover and Kohl were recognized for “their work as reformers, revitalizing traditional towns, fixing sprawl, creating new neighborhoods and citywide and regional plans. They have been leaders in integrating better collaborative methods and meaningful citizen involvement in city planning reform.” Dover Kohl and Partners have worked across Florida and all around the world on projects such as the South Miami Hometown Plan, Downtown Kendall, I’On in South Carolina, South Main in Buena Vista, Colorado, and Clematis Street in West Palm Beach, Fl. Victor Dover and co-author John Massengale anticipate a revised publication this year of their book, Street Design: The Secret to Great Cities and Towns. They were among the founders of the Congress for the New Urbanism.
Alumni in attendance:
Adam Bonosky
Ramon Trias
Barbara Lamb
Ibrahim Mohasseb
Robert Gray
Claire Morris
Milt Rhodes
Joe Minicozzi
Pamela Stacy King
James Dougherty
Amy Groves
Chris Groves
Robin Crowder
Alex Pegues
Tony Garcia
