Architect and engineer Dr. Elizabeth English shows how amphibious designs can allow communities to maintain their vibrancy, even in flood zones. Dr. Elizabeth C. English is a pioneer in the emerging field of amphibious architecture. Her current research focuses on developing amphibious foundation systems as a flood risk reduction and climate change adaptation strategy. Her work supports the preservation of traditional housing forms and respects local cultural practices with projects addressing real needs in Vietnam, Canada, Nicaragua, North Carolina and Louisiana.
Elizabeth has experience in education, practice, teaching and research. She holds a BA in Architecture and Urban Planning from Princeton University, an MS in Civil Engineering from MIT, and a PhD in Architectural Theory from the University of Pennsylvania. Elizabeth is founder and director of the Buoyant Foundation Project, and founder and organizer of the Building Resilience Workshop series. Both projects promote strategies that work in synchrony WITH water, enhancing community resilience and encouraging the use of redundant forms of flood mitigation.