In 1992, Hurricane Andrew devastated South Florida, destroying homes and historic buildings. The widespread damage led to significant improvements in building codes, including wind provisions from a national standard, impact-resistant glazing requirements, and positive ties at all connections to resist uplift forces. These updates made the Florida Building Code at the time one of the strongest in the nation.
Despite a remarkable recovery from Andrew’s destruction, the region remains vulnerable to hurricanes, flooding, and the growing effects of climate change. Miami’s rich cultural and architectural heritage—particularly in its coastal and riverfront settings—is increasingly at risk.
The Spring-term Salon series was introduced in 2022 by Sonia Chao, associate dean of research at the University of Miami School of Architecture,as an addition to the School of Architecture’s robust lecture and outreach programming. Inspired by the informal gatherings of the past, the Salon series fosters the exchange of ideas through engaging and interactive discussions. The inaugural event celebrated the School of Architecture’s graduate programs, including the interdisciplinary Master of Professional Science in Urban Sustainability and Resilience. The following year, the series highlighted faculty-led research initiatives through interdisciplinary labs. In 2024, the Salon series, co-hosted by the School of Architecture and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, focused on the critical issue of affordable housing availability in Miami-Dade County.
The 2025 Spring Salon series, entitled “Exploring Resilience through Public and Private Pathways – a unified approach to adaptation,” was co-hosted by the School of Architecture and the City of Miami Beach Office of Resilience, and curated by Chao and Amy Knowles, Chief Resilience Officer for the City of Miami Beach. “The goal of the series was to consider coastal resilience at both macro and micro levels, incentivize community discussions, encourage adaptation action, and to broaden awareness,” according to Chao. The two-part lecture series, held at the Miami Beach Botanical Garden, was open to the public, providing attendees with insights into resilience strategies that directly impact their communities. Students enrolled in Chao’s “Introduction to Resilient Building and Community Design” course attended both sessions and later furthered the discussions directly with the panelists.
During the second evening, School of Architecture Dean Rodolphe el-Khoury alongside Miami Beach’s Assistant City Manager, Maria Hernandez, a U-SoA alumna, opened the event with remarks, setting the stage for discussions on how the City of Miami Beach is supporting property owners in adapting to climate challenges. A key topic was the “Fight the Flood Private Property Adaptation Program,” a grant reimbursement initiative designed to help historic property owners fund adaptation efforts.
Juanita Ballesteros, sustainability and resilience manager for the City of Miami Beach, presented the program’s phased approach. The first phase includes an assessment of each property’s structural challenges and homeowner needs, offering three adaptation options for owners to consider. The second phase involves a formal land agreement with the property owner and city-supported guidance throughout the design and build process.
Miami Beach’s historic architecture presents unique challenges for climate adaptation. Many structures require significant modifications to withstand rising sea levels and extreme weather events, making resilience efforts both complex and costly. The adaptation fund aims to alleviate these financial barriers while preserving the city’s architectural heritage. Discussions encompassed various topics, including building assessments and potential options for the Transfer of Development Rights. Professor Allan Shulman directed the audience to the Buoyant City report, which his professional practice had previously prepared for Miami Beach. Additionally, Chao recommended that individuals interested in gaining further insights into that report, as well as the Resiliency + Preservation pamphlets developed by her research group, could access both documents through the City’s resilience website or her CoRe Lab’s website.An expert panel explored how to foster holistic resilience citywide. Session moderator, Amy Knowles, guided the panel discussion. Panelists included: Allan Shulman, professor at the University of Miami and principal of Shulman + Associates; Debbie Tackett, historic preservation and architecture officer for the City of Miami Beach; and Alec Bogdanoff, Ph.D., Adjunct Faculty at UM’s Rosensteil School and at Florida Atlantic University and principal of Brizaga. Discussions centered on incentivizing property owners to invest in resilience, developing guidelines for historic preservation in a changing climate, and enhancing community walkability and livability.
The Spring Salon series will continue in 2026, and Chao’s co-host shall be Dr. Brian Haus, associate dean at the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science, chair of the Department of Ocean Sciences, and director of the SUSTAIN facility. The focus will shift to nature-based solutions for coastal resilience and the ‘urban terroir’.
