Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk
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Plater-Zyberk in 2015
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| Born | December 20, 1950 Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, U.S.
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| Occupation | Architect and urban planner |
| Known for | University of Miami architecture professor, advocate of New Urbanism |
Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, born on December 20, 1950, is a well-known architect and urban planner. She teaches at the University of Miami's School of Architecture in Miami, Florida. She is famous for being a leader in a design movement called New Urbanism. This idea focuses on creating towns and cities that are easy to walk around and have a strong sense of community. She also supports a style of building called New Classical architecture, which uses traditional designs. Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk is also a co-founder of DPZ CoDesign, an architecture company based in Miami.
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Early Life and Education
Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk was born in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. Her father, Jozafat Plater-Zyberk, was also an architect. Her mother, Maria Meysztowicz, taught French at Villanova University.
Elizabeth went to Sacred Heart Academy Bryn Mawr. She then studied architecture and urban planning at Princeton University, graduating in 1972. She earned her master's degree in architecture from the Yale School of Architecture in 1974. In 2023, she received an honorary degree from the Yale School of Architecture for her achievements.
Career Highlights
Starting Arquitectonica
In 1977, Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk helped start an architecture firm called Arquitectonica in Miami. She founded it with her husband, Andrés Duany, and other partners. This firm became known for its bold and modern building designs. One of their famous buildings, the Atlantis Condominium, was even shown in the opening of the TV show Miami Vice.
Leading New Urbanism with DPZ CoDesign
In 1980, Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk and Andrés Duany started their own company, DPZ CoDesign. This firm quickly became a leader in the New Urbanism movement. New Urbanism is all about designing new towns and improving existing areas to make them more friendly for people. This means creating places where people can walk easily, have shops nearby, and feel connected to their neighbors.
DPZ CoDesign first gained international attention in the 1980s for designing Seaside, Florida. This town is a great example of New Urbanism principles. Since then, the firm has designed over 200 new towns and helped revitalize many communities.
Teaching and Leadership at the University of Miami
Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk has been teaching at the University of Miami School of Architecture since 1979. In 1988, she started a special program for students to learn about designing suburbs and towns. She worked with students and other teachers to study how cities grow and how to rebuild them.
From 1995 to 2013, she was the dean of the university's School of Architecture. As dean, she brought in famous architects like Léon Krier to design buildings for the school. She also directed the university's Center for Urban Community and Design. This center helps communities in South Florida by organizing design projects. In 2008, she was honored by the Iron Arrow Honor Society, a top award at the University of Miami. In 2014, she received the Arts & Culture Award from the Coral Gables Community Foundation.
Impact at Princeton University
For ten years, Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk was a trustee at Princeton University. She led the university's Building Committee during a time when many new buildings were being constructed. During her time, the university hired important architects like Robert Venturi, Frank Gehry, and Demetri Porphyrios. Porphyrios designed Whitman College, which was the first of several new buildings in a traditional style on the campus.
Other Contributions and Awards
Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk is a founder and a former board member of the Congress for the New Urbanism. This group was started in 1993 to promote New Urbanism ideas. She has also been a visiting professor at many major architecture schools in North America. She has received several honorary degrees and awards, and she often gives lectures.
In 2001, she and Andrés Duany received the Vincent Scully Prize from the National Building Museum. This award recognized their important work in shaping American cities and towns. In 2008, she was appointed to the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, which advises the government on art and architecture. She has also written books, including The New Civic Art and Suburban Nation: The Rise of Sprawl and the Decline of the American Dream.
See also
In Spanish: Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk para niños
