In the fall of 2024, two Hurricanes—Helene and Milton—made landfall directly on the City of Sarasota, Florida, causing flooding and extensive wind and water damage. This followed a series of tropical storms and near misses that produced flooding throughout the region at a frequency and intensity not previously seen. These storm events were a harbinger of a climate in a rapid state of change, with consequences yet to be fully known or experienced.

At the prompting of Architecture Sarasota, this project-based seminar was formulated to explore current and future climate threats in and around Sarasota and the Gulf of Mexico, including how historic urban development and land reclamation may have exacerbated them. The ensuing work focused on bringing to light underlying predevelopment conditions, ecologies and cultures that might point toward more holistic, multi-species approaches to human habitation; and speculations on a range of tactics that could allow for ways to live with and adapt to ongoing and projected changes in the environment. Students focused on the Downtown Bayfront, but drew from the rich array of natural and cultural resources throughout the region, including destination beaches, architectural legacies, and outdoor living.

The seminar was run as a collaborative laboratory, with work sessions and research sharing incorporated into seminar meetings, and included a 3-day visit to Sarasota. It culminated with a review of student work that was attended by national experts on climate change, Sarasota leaders and climate advocates, and Harvard professors.

Read the full report on issuu.