Seaside restaurateur Dave Rauschkolb and former Fla. Gov. and U.S. Sen. Bob Graham with Seaside founder Robert Davis at a previous Seaside Prize weekend event. Photo courtesy the Seaside Institute
This February, Seaside will spend a weekend honoring the five pioneer architects of Seaside during what has become a Seaside tradition known as Seaside Prize weekend. The special events take place Feb. 22-25, 2018.
Whether you have been here from the beginning, or if you are new in town, Prize Weekend is perfect for individuals who love Seaside and appreciate its history and unique style.
The Seaside Prize is awarded annually to individuals or organizations that have made significant contributions to the quality and character of our communities. Previous recipients of the Seaside Prize include the six founders of the Congress for the New Urbanism — Peter Calthorpe, Andrés Duany, Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, Elizabeth Moule, Stefanos Polyzoides, and Daniel Solomon; historian and scholar Vincent Scully; architects Christopher Alexander, Alex Cooper, Giancarlo DeCarlo, Tony Garcia, Leon Krier, Rob Krier, Mike Lydon, Donlyn Lyndon, Scott Merrill, Jaquelin Robertson, Aldo Rossi, Robert A.M. Stern, Dhiru Thadani; writer and civic activist Jane Jacobs; Mayor of Charleston Joseph P. Riley, Jr.; Seaside town founders Daryl and Robert Davis; authors Witold Rybczynki and James Howard Kunstler; urban designer Allan B. Jacobs; Hank Dittmar, urban designer and chief executive of The Prince’s Foundation for the Built Environment; landscape architect Douglas Duany; residential market analysts Laurie Volk and Todd Zimmerman; and former Florida Governor and U.S. Senator Bob Graham.
The recipients of the prize have had a major influence on how our towns and cities can best be built and rebuilt to reflect and promote diversity, walkability, beauty and sustainability. Seaside Prize recipients are considered the leaders of contemporary urban development and education.
The Seaside Institute is a non-profit organization, which promotes the building of sustainable communities in cities and towns through design and education. The institute, through its members and programs, contributes significantly to the dissemination of the theory and practice of the New Urbanism and Smart Growth. The institute helps people find solutions to improve their own communities. It sponsors a wide variety of programs to train and educate specialists and decision-makers, as well as the broader public, regarding the built environment.
Between lectures and demonstrations from our winners, attendees will enjoy art exhibits, wine tastings, tours and celebrations. Most meals are included with a registration package, as well as an exclusive Seaside Institute gift bag. And as always, Seaside Institute members can enjoy special rates on all tickets.
Seaside Prize Recipients
Ernesto Buch was born in Cuba and raised in Miami, and his love of classical architecture influenced him throughout his career. Buch worked with Andrés Duany and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk on Seaside’s Master Plan and Code. He designed the Tupelo Street Pavilion.
Walter Chatham is a highly-awarded architect, and advocate of modern architecture and urban planning. He is known for his work in the environmental design movement and the use of state-of-the-art energy and conservation strategies.
Chatham has designed multiple properties in Ruskin Place, including Albert F’s clothing store.
Deborah Berke is dean of the Yale School of Architecture and founder of Deborah Berke Partners. Her Seaside work includes 13 iconic cottages, including one of the very first, Forever Mary on Tupelo Street. She also designed Modica Market and the original Perspicasity.
Robert Orr not only collaborated on many of Seaside’s early cottages, but is also a founder of the Seaside Institute. He is known for his work as an architect, urbanist, educator, lecturer and writer. If you find yourself strolling down Tupelo Street, be sure to stop by Dreamsicle, a cottage he designed with Melanie Taylor.
Alexander Gorlin is an architect whose work spans from high end designs, to affordable housing for the homeless. He designed Stairway to Heaven in Ruskin Park, which many recognize from “The Truman Show” movie. The property still showcases the faux Rubeo Architects sign on the ground level.
Visit the Seaside Institute’s Facebook page for special pricing on registration packages. Facebook.com/SeasideInstitute
Diane Dorney contributed to this article.