Dallas Architecture Forum, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing public education about architecture, design and the urban environment, will continue its 2015-2016 Panel Discussion Series on February 9, 2016 with “The Social Initiative,” moderated by Bob Harris, a Partner with Lake|Flato Architects in San Antonio.
Panels are offered at no charge to both Forum members and to the general public as a public outreach of the Forum. The venue for this Dallas Architecture Forum Panel is at The Dallas Center for Architecture, 1909 Woodall Rogers Freeway, Suite 100. It is free and will be held at 6:30 pm, with an informal reception beginning at 6:15 pm. No reservations are needed to attend this panel discussion.
“The Dallas Architecture Forum is pleased to present this next panel in its 2015-16 series of thought-provoking Panel Discussions on topics impacting the citizens of Dallas both locally and globally,” stated Forum Executive Director Nate Eudaly. “Moderator Bob Harris will be joined by panelists who are actively creating socially responsible design. The result will be an engaging and thought-provoking discussion for our attendees.”
Panel Season Sponsors are John Eagle Dealerships, HOSSLEY Lighting Associates, Purdy McGuire, Inc., Cindy + Armond Schwartz, Talley Associates, Briggs Freeman Sothebys International Realty and WDG Architects. Sponsors for this Panel are LUXE Interiors + Design Magazine and Meg Fitzpatrick |MMF Strategies |Management Consultant.
For more information on the Dallas Architecture Forum, or the Panel Discussion Series, visit www.dallasarchitectureforum.org or call 214-764-2406.
Why do Millennials care more about design that fosters social responsibilityand less about ego in architecture and design? In the last five years there has been a groundswell in the interest of Millennials to participate in design that bridges boundaries among disciplines, demographics and neighborhoods. Largely rooted in urbanism and healthy living, this generation will discuss and debate the idea that socially responsible design is an attitude that emphasizes needs and experiences of people over concerns of form or aesthetics. Issues that will be examined include: "Isn't social responsibility in design part of the triple bottom line foundation of sustainability?" and "Is it possible to have a profitable practice that engages social initiatives?"
About the Moderator: Bob Harris, FAIA, LEED Fellow, is a Partner and leads the Eco-Conservation studio for Lake|Flato Architects in San Antonio, Texas. He has more than 20 years of project experience combining award-winning design with sustainable solutions. His passion for environmental issues ranges from land preservation advocacy to sustainable urban design. As a persistent innovator, Bob seeks to push sustainability in new directions, finding beauty in solutions and regionally-based designs that elegantly do more with less. His work includes the popular Hotel San José in Austin, TX; Naples Botanical Garden Visitor Center in Florida; and the Dixon Water Foundation Josey Pavilion - a project aspiring to be the first Living Building Challenge certified project in Texas.
Bob’s work reflects his belief that sustainability and design are two sides of the same coin – balanced, integrated, and inseparable. As Lake|Flato’s partner in charge of sustainability he oversees innovative design strategies for the firm. Bob is an innovator who pushes sustainability in new directions, finding beauty in sustainable solutions and pioneering regionally based designs for buildings that elegantly do more with less. As a project leader and designer with over 20 years of experience, his work has received national recognition for sustainable design, including 8 AIA Committee on the Environment Top Ten Green projects under his leadership.
Panelists:
Isaac Cohen-Public Designer, bcWORKSHOP
Isaac Cohen works with neighborhoods across Dallas on a variety of projects from public theaters and temporary design interventions to public space audits and the creation of small site-specific free libraries. He has a Masters of Landscape Architecture from the University of Virginia where he was named the 2013 University Olmsted Scholar.
Allison Baker-Project Leader, Studio Outside
Allison Baker, is excited about urban places and spaces. As a designer, she strives to apply a holistic approach to understanding the urban environment, both from an ecological sense as well as a human point of view. These understandings, combined with her passion for community outreach, recently led her to spearhead a social and ecological outreach initiative within the Studio Outside office called Second Nature. Second Nature is structured to identify and address design opportunities within the local community, start conversations encouraging collaboration with neighborhood leaders, and create obtainable design solutions that aid in solving unique urban issues.
Amanda Kalescky-Senior Project Coordinator at GFF, Inc.
Amanda Kalescky received Bachelor of Science degrees in both Architecture and Civil Engineering from Texas Tech University and completed her Master of Architecture degree from University of Texas Arlington in December 2011. After joining GFF in 2007, Amanda has enjoyed working on a wide variety of projects throughout Texas ranging from a boutique outdoor entertainment space to large mixed-use projects involving multiple construction types and end uses. Amanda is also an energetic participant in her community. As an active member of the Junior League of Dallas she has recently been named as the Junior League liaison to and member of the Dallas Arboretum’s Board of Directors. She is also a regular volunteer with Habitat
for Humanity. In another instance of applying her construction knowledge to aid her community, Amanda led over thirty trips to the South Texas coast to aid in disaster recovery following Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Ike. When the Perot Museum of Nature and Science opened, she was asked to help design the “Build-a-Truss” structural exhibit featured in the Texas Instruments Engineering and Innovation Hall. Her interest in merging her technical background with real-world application is evident in her community involvement as well as her work at GFF.