Michael Singer is an artist whose visionary thinking on infrastructure has lead to such anomalies as architecturally significant landfill facilities and power plants that even a community could love. He delivered the speech “Urban Eco-Sustainable Networks” at Metropolis magazine’s Tropical Green Conference on sustainable building in Miami and other tropical zones, held on February 9–10, 2006 at Miami Dade College, Wolfson Campus, joined by Calen Colby from Oest Associates and Ramon Cruz of Environmental Defense.
Through the power of integrated design Singer’s projects show just how far the typically unsightly structures at the backbone of modern living can go to becoming places of beauty, health, and sustainability. Questioning assumptions and looking at solutions from the whole range of the design community—from civil engineering to interiors—creates remarkable opportunities for innovation. Singer’s ability to rethink place in order to connect people, urban environments, and nature is an inspiration. He offers practical advice for achieving the support of communities faced with incoming infrastructure, and his numerous examples of projects across the nation and the globe provide insight on the accomplishments of a design community that pulls together.
Michael Singer has opened new possibilities for public art through developing site-specific sculptures, with his pieces becoming models for successful urban and ecological renewal. Locally, his work with PhD students at Florida Atlantic University has led to a new policy for the school’s retention pond and the development of an innovative visitor center for the South Florida Water Management District.
To download the full transcript in PDF format, click here.
To download the Metropolis CE Participant Exercise for 0.2 credits, click here.
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