The College of Environmental Design brought together students, faculty, staff and the campus community to kick off the 25th anniversary celebration of the John T. Lyle Center for Regenerative Studies on Friday, Oct. 11.
Since 1994, the Lyle Center has been committed to helping Cal Poly Pomona students and the local community move toward a more sustainable future.
(Michelle Quintero | The Poly Post)
The Lyle Center’s 25th anniversary celebration commenced with two events on Friday.
The first event, the Experts Dialogue: “The Future of Regenerative Design,” was held in the Lyle Center Commons, Building 209, from 3 to 5 p.m. And the second event, the 25th Anniversary Reception, was held in the Lyle Center Commons and outside.
Students, faculty, staff and community members filled the Lyle Center Commons, forcing a remainder of the guests to sit outside during the experts’ panel.
Some of the special guests who attended the panel included Pomona Councilmember Steve Lustro, Covina Councilman Walter Allen III and other legislative representatives.
Andrew Wilcox, professor and chair of the Department of Landscape Architecture, moderated and introduced panelists Edward Mazria, founder/CEO of Architecture 2030; David Hertz, founder of David Hertz Architects Studio of Environmental Architecture; and Debra Guenther, partner of Mithun, an integrated design firm.
The three panelists responded to the Lyle Center as they shared ideas and concerns for the future of regenerative design and sustainability.
Panelist Marzia discussed the issue of climate change, how it is affecting society and how it can be changed.
During his panel, Mariza asked the audience to tweet “@GavinNewsom declare a climate emergency & adopt California ZERO Code effective 2021 #ZEROcodeCA” as a cry for help.
Mariza ended his panel calling for action, that “timing is everything,” and that “we need the governor to declare a climate emergency … we need to move forward quickly, everything in California goes global.”
Hertz spoke about working towards a restorative and resilient future by implementing green architecture or green design.
Green architecture or green design is an eco-friendly approach that minimizes harmful effects of construction practices by safeguarding air, water and earth.
“What we take, make and waste is absolutely critical in our society,” Hertz said.
The final panelist, Guenther, focused on the future of collaboration in which she discussed the green infrastructure, climate risk in cities and the service issues in the ecosystem.
A question-and-answer session was held at the end of each panelist presentation, although not many questions were asked due to time shortage.
“I think it’s a marvelous place to associate with,” said Lauren Bricker, professor and interim dean of the College of Environmental Design. “Lyle’s goals continue to be carried out.”
The reception allowed for faculty, students, alumni and elected officials to mingle over hors d’oeuvres and drinks.
“We are celebrating an important landmark,” President Soraya M. Coley said. “The Lyle Center continues to advance the values associated with Cal Poly Pomona .… (It) truly inspires creativity and innovation.”
The Lyle Center will hold two more events to celebrate its 25th anniversary.
From 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15, there will be a lecture and book signing by Doug Kent in the Lyle Center Commons, Building 209.
A reception from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, the “John T. Lyle and the Regenerative Design” exhibition in the Don B. Huntley Gallery in room 4435 of the University Library will be curated by Cybele Lyle, daughter of John T. Lyle. The exhibition is free and will be open until Dec. 8, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information about the Lyle Center’s 25th anniversary, students, faculty and staff can visit env.cpp.edu/rs/25th-anniversary.
