Hoyt Architects
Talks and Symposia

Talks and Symposia

Our Talks and Symposia cultivate meaningful partnerships with higher education institutions across South Florida, bringing students and faculty together around shared questions in urbanism and environmental planning. Through hands-on collaboration and scholarly exchange, these programs nurture the next generation of design thinkers while deepening Hoyt Architects’ connection to the communities and landscapes of our region.

University of Florida College of Design, Construction and Planning (DCP)

Hoyt Architects actively partners with University of Florida — Florida’s flagship university and a leading hub for innovation, research, and design education — to provide students with real-world insights that prepare future architects for an increasingly technology-driven industry. Working closely with UF’s College of Design, Construction and Planning, the partnership bridges academia and professional practice by integrating emerging technologies such as digital twins, artificial intelligence, immersive visualization, and real-time 3D modeling into both research and education.

Focused on fostering meaningful connections between students, faculty, and industry professionals, Hoyt Architects supports the university’s mission to advance forward-thinking design, planning, and construction practices. Their collaboration has taken many forms, including guest lectures, industry innovation summits, studio discussions, urban studies programming, and ongoing support of research initiatives exploring the future of the built environment.

Hoyt Integrated Project Professional Series 

Hoyt Architects helps create and support this professional series in partnership with the University of Florida College of Design, Construction and Planning and the M.E. Rinker, Sr. School of Construction Management. The goal of the series is to foster stronger communication and collaboration between the design and construction disciplines among students, faculty, and industry professionals.

The sessions feature panels of industry professionals who share their experiences and insights from the field. These discussions provide valuable opportunities for students, faculty, and professionals to connect, exchange ideas, and gain a deeper understanding of how the various sectors within the design and construction professions work together.

Hoyt Integrated Project Professional Series - Session #1

"Removing Barriers to Integration of Project Professionals, Establishing an Ideal Communications Platform from Day 1"

Hoyt Integrated Project Professional Series - Session #2

"Haskell Integrated AEC Design-Build Firm"

Hoyt Integrated Project Professional Series - Session #3

"The New Master Builder" 

Urban Land Institute (ULI)

Through a collaborative effort with the Urban Land Institute (ULI), Hoyt Architects and its partners explored how gaming technology and virtual reality can transform urban planning and development. Utilizing platforms such as Unreal Engine and Unity, the team developed “Urban Analog” virtual reality environments that support real-time collaboration for zoning, planning, and urban design solutions.

American Planning Association (APA)

Hoyt Architects collaborated with retail planner Robert Gibbs at the Florida Planning Conference, hosted by the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association, to present “Complete Neighborhoods: Retail Best Practices.” The session examined the relationship between urban design, zoning strategy, and the economic realities of small businesses within walkable mixed-use communities. Using real-world case studies, the presentation demonstrated how design and planning decisions including storefront visibility, pedestrian infrastructure, building setbacks, and accessibility directly influence the success of local retailers. The discussion emphasized that vibrant, walkable neighborhoods rely not only on strong design principles, but also on creating commercial environments where independent businesses can sustainably thrive.

Through its ongoing collaboration with APA Florida, Hoyt Architects continues to promote practical, data-driven planning strategies that connect architecture, urban design, and economic sustainability to help communities create more resilient mixed-use environments.

Florida Planning and Zoning Association 

The Florida Planning and Zoning Association (FPZA) is a statewide organization dedicated to advancing urban planning, zoning, growth management, and community development throughout Florida. Through annual conferences, educational programs, and professional collaboration, FPZA brings together planners, architects, public officials, designers, and community leaders to address the evolving challenges shaping Florida’s built environment.

As part of the 2026 FPZA Annual Conference, Palette of Possibilities, Hoyt Architects contributed to discussions focused on urban revitalization, placemaking, resilience, and collaborative community design. Gary participated in the breakout session Building Together: Advancing Sarasota’s MLK Revitalization, which explored Sarasota’s ongoing redevelopment efforts along the MLK corridor and the importance of cross-sector collaboration in shaping equitable, community-driven growth.

The session brought together planners, civic leaders, designers, and community stakeholders to discuss innovative strategies for corridor revitalization, economic development, and long-term neighborhood investment across the Sarasota region.

Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU)

Presented at the Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU), Hoyt Architecture Lab (HAL) shared ongoing research exploring how virtual reality and real-time 3D game engines are transforming urban design and planning. The presentation emphasized the importance of collaboration between architects, planners, technologists, and community stakeholders, demonstrating how immersive digital tools can strengthen communication, improve consensus-building, and support more informed design decisions. Through partnerships across industry and academia, HAL continues to advance innovative approaches that connect emerging technology with the future of the built environment.