SOA Faculty member Steven Fett and a small group of urban designers led by project manager Anthea Gianniotes (B.Arch., 1992), Marcela Camblor (M.Arch, S&T 1993) Jose Venegas (M.Arch. 2003), and Bill Spikowski of Spikowski Planning Associates, collaborated on behalf of the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council (TCRPC) to produce a new code and architectural guidelines for the Central Business District of Delray Beach, Florida.  The code was awarded the Driehaus Award by the Washington D.C. based Form-Based Codes Institute.

The Stuart-based TCRPC focuses on infill-development planning and code writing for local municipalities within the Treasure Coast region. Led by executive director Michael Busha, and urban planning director Dana Little (B.Arch., 1990) the quasi-government organization established an urban design studio in 1989 and has consulted with UM alumni since its inception.   

The Driehaus jury cited the Code’s clear metrics, requirements for parking, active uses facing public spaces, and the workforce housing as worthy of emulation.  Jury Chairman Joseph Kohl added, “The required Architectural Guidelines embedded within the Code elevate architectural expectation and ensure adherence to the City’s character while responding to climate and respecting history.

Assisting the team in the production of the manual were UMSoA alumni Lauren Moss (M.Arch.,  2009), Eloine Sabol (B.Arch., 2008;  MRED+U, 2009), and Katherine Flores (B.Arch., 2013). 

An award ceremony will take place at the Congress for the New Urbanism 24 in Detroit on June 9, 2016.