Competition

Natural Talent Design Competition

This year's selected site was the Virginia Key Beach Park, a historical landmark that has been a cherished amenity to the community. The park's 82.5 acres are located on the Atlantic Ocean, and is a barrier island that retains much of its natural character despite its location in a highly urbanized area. The competition challenge was to design a LEED Platinum Beach Pavilion for the park to serve as a nature study center, a group camping area and a rental space for parties and events.

After weeks of deliberation, the judges, who consisted of chapter board members, including local architects, landscape architects & engineers, selected seven finalists to attend the ceremony held at the site's location.

First place winners will be traveling to Chicago in November to attend the Greenbuild Expo and compete for the "Best in Show" title with other winners of local EGB competitions around the country. Joe Snider, board member and advisor to the South Florida EGB will also be present at this year's expo, and will be supporting the finalists. Joe believes that "the tool for such education is a meaningful project and a partnership with the community, as was the case this year with Virginia Key".

First Place ::

Submitted by Robert Zylstra & Tabitha Ponte, students at Florida Atlantic University. Their pavilion was inspired by the form and function of mangroves, the original plant community on the site.

The design was elegant yet simple, and reflected the mid-century aesthetic of the park's use of the site through climate appropriate design gestures.

Second Place ::

Submitted by Jessica Calek, a student at the University of Miami and to the team of Jamie Maloney, Anthony Roja and Ray Borainne, students at Florida International University.

Third Place ::

Submitted by Christine Alvarez, also a student at Florida International University.