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This annual awards program remembers
Mark Samuelian and builds on his legacy
The 2ND annual AwardS Reception was held at the Miami Beach botanical gardens on NOVEMber 18, 2024
Applicant projects can include private and public structures and infrastructure completed, or under construction and available to visit. They must show benefits to residential buildings (other than dormitories, hotels and short-term rentals). For 2024 the awards scope has been expanded to include the entire state of Florida.
The 2025 application period will open next July
The 2ND annual AwardS Reception was held at the miami Beach botanical gardens on NOVEMber 18, 2024
2024 | |
|---|---|
July 1 | Application submittals commence |
Oct 15 | Application submittal deadline |
Nov 1 | Notification to short-list applicants |
Nov 18 | Awards announcement and reception |
$5,000+
$3,000 – $4,999
Bercow Radell
Fernandez Larkin + Tapenes
2023/2024
$1,000 – $2,999
Miami Beach
Chamber of Commerce
2023
$100 – $999
WILLIAM & LILIANE VITALE
2023
Sponsor and donor inquiries to: [email protected]
Contributions can be tax deductible
November 19, 2024
The 2nd annual Mark Samuelian Awards in Urban Resilience were announced last night during a ceremony at the Botanical Gardens in Miami Beach.
The awards commemorate the life and legacy of the late Miami Beach Commissioner Mark Samuelian, who championed a residents-first approach to resilience for homes and communities that face natural and climate hazards. Resilience Action Fund (RAF) launched this program with a 10-year $50,000 pledge after the sudden loss of Mark in 2022 and was joined by other sponsors.
The seven-member awards committee is composed of resilience champions from Florida International University (FIU), the University of Miami, the University of Florida, MIT, the American Society of Testing & Materials (ASTM), and the Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM). The awards program focuses on residential projects completed in the state of Florida. Award criteria included resilience to hazards, environmental features, affordability, ease of duplication, and community benefits.
The awarded projects this year were:
Babcock Ranch, which opened in 2022, provides single- and multifamily housing for various ages and incomes. It is mostly ungated and 30 miles inland. Resilient features include its 30-foot elevation, green and gray water management infrastructure, 160-mph wind and fire-resistant concrete block construction, reclaimed water irrigation, a 150MW solar park, buried power lines, schools, community, medical, and recreational facilities.
Lakewood Villages, completed in 2023, offers two- and three-bedroom apartments for working-class families in four three-story buildings 4.5 miles inland. Its resilient features include a 21-foot elevation, 38% green and permeable land use, a 240-mph wind, water-impervious, fire-rated, and mold-resistant structure, lightweight construction, a playground, and walking access to stores and bus transport.
The Lotus, completed in 2024, is a high-end 4-bedroom rental house in an ungated neighborhood 1.3 miles inland. Resilient features include its 10.5-foot elevation, 240 mph wind resistant, water-impervious, fire-tested, mold-resistant structure, and lightweight rapid construction.
Aris Papadopoulos, FIU Resilience Expert and RAF Chair, said: “Mark Samuelian’s legacy continues with these awards. In addition to urban infrastructure, Mark had a genuine interest in how people’s homes could survive. This year’s winners are great examples of resilient development strategies and solutions that can be applied to Florida, the US and the World.”
The Mark Samuelian Awards in Urban Resilience recognize individuals and organizations that have demonstrated practical success in implementing hazard-resilient measures, technologies, and strategies in residential projects.
October 27, 2023
The first annual Mark Samuelian Awards in Urban Resilience were announced last night during a ceremony at FIU-The Wolfsonian museum in Miami Beach.
The Mark Samuelian Awards in Urban Resilience commemorate the life and legacy of the late Miami Beach Commissioner Mark Samuelian, who championed a residents-first approach to resilience for homes and communities that face natural and climate hazards. Resilience Action Fund (RAF) launched this program with a $50,000 pledge after the sudden loss of Mark in 2022 and was later joined by other sponsors.
The five-member awards committee is composed of resilience champions from Florida International University, University of Miami, University of Florida and MIT. The program scope focused on residential projects completed in the seven southern counties of Florida. Award criteria included resilience to hazards, environmental features, affordability, ease of duplication and community benefits.
Two projects this year received 1st prize awards of $5,000 each:
Seminole Park, completed in 2021, provides affordable and walkable housing near community amenities. Resilient features include 9.7ft elevation, wind and fire-resistant concrete block construction, buried power lines and oak trees replanted away from buildings.
House In A Garden, completed in 2022 and owned/occupied by its architect developers, is a prototype house in an urban working-class neighborhood. Resilient features include 12.2ft elevation, wind and fire-enhanced cross-laminated timber (CLT) construction, aluminum exterior protection and rapid assembly methods.
Aris Papadopoulos, Founding Chair of RAF said: “Mark Samuelian’s legacy continues through this awards recognition of resilient houses. This year’s winners show what’s possible when we prioritize people and safety as we build new homes in the age of climate change. The projects serve as great examples of resilient building practices for Florida, the US, and worldwide.”
The Mark Samuelian Awards in Urban Resilience is an annual recognition of individuals and organizations who demonstrate practical success in implementing hazard resilient measures and strategies in residential projects. The awards committee will look to expand its geographic scope in future years.
Make check to Resilience Action Fund, with note ‘Samuelian Award’.
Mail to: Resilience Action Fund, 441 NE 52nd Street, Miami, FL 33137.
Donations under $1000 can also be made by PayPal paypal.me/ResilienceActionFund
