Florida shows how to adapt as coastal cities face growing threats from sea level rise and storms

Florida demonstrates how coastal cities can adapt to the growing threats of sea level rise and storms. In 1992, Hurricane Andrew caused extensive damage to homes in southern Florida, with many residents relying on food donations and living in trailers for months. Landscape architect Jeffrey Huber, who was 12 at the time, recalls how the aftermath of the storm influenced his approach to design.

Today, Florida is at the forefront of building to adapt to extreme weather conditions. Huber, a professor at Florida Atlantic University, explains that the challenge is no longer stopping the water, but learning to live with it. With 129 million people living in coastal counties across the U.S., recent research shows that rising sea levels have increased extreme coastal flooding worldwide.

Anya Freeman, a lawyer turned entrepreneur, launched Kind Designs in 2024 to create 3D-printed living seawalls to protect shorelines from flooding. These seawalls, which mimic natural coastal features, can dissipate at least 45% of wave energy, making them more resilient to flooding. They have installed 16 of these living seawalls across Florida for residential, commercial, and government clients.

The Vista Breeze affordable senior housing project in Miami Beach, designed by Brooks Scarpa Huber, is a real-world application of how to live with water threats. The 119-unit complex is elevated 10 feet above sea level and designed to withstand storm surges of up to 20 feet. The concrete used in the buildings is mixed with a crystalline, waterproof powder to prevent water penetration.

Rebar coated in zinc protects the structures from rust and corrosion. The buildings are oriented to take advantage of prevailing breezes and have community rooms, courtyards, and terraces to encourage socializing.