At Living Future 26 in Seattle, amid the amazing array of sessions, the brilliant fire-alarm-resilient words from Living Future's CEO, Lindsay Baker, encounters with many movement leaders from all over the U.S. and beyond, there was a recognition moment that I will not soon forget. I was touched to see lifetime achievement recognition bestowed upon Pliny Fisk III, and to hear his work with Gail Vittori and the Center for Maximum Potential Building Systems celebrated so beautifully. This is close to my heart for a range of reasons. I was an editor at Metropolis Magazine in the '90s and helped to chronicle their good work (under the direction of Susan S. Szenasy and alongside Janet Rumble and David Brown, who went to Texas for one of the early big stories about the Center, affectionately known as Max Pot). I got to know Gail (whose voice was central in Women in Green) and Pliny later on and have stayed in touch over the years, vising numerous times (and enjoying the moment of discovery when architects and others reveal that they spent time learning there). Thank you, Living Future, for honoring Pliny in this way. Here's a video of the recognition segment, which include a video and also quoted Szenasy about Pliny: https://lnkd.in/gdeRsqkZ Here's a snippet of what Pliny told Susan for a Q&A in 2011: "On any project, maximum potential is anticipatory by nature and tries to draw out of everyone involved their very best, and admit what they don’t know. We often find that enthusiasm is highest when physical creation is the medium because the focus of making a new reality is miraculous. We play with the words 'building systems' to get our collaborators to think that we really are building systems not just buildings—so it’s a noun and a verb." (Link to Q&A: https://lnkd.in/g57rC5sV.) Here's a recent and excellent article in Texas Architect magazine (published by Texas Society of Architects) by Cameron Klepac, Assoc. AIA about the Center's 50th anniversary, its purpose, and its legacy: https://lnkd.in/gME7uU7w Here's a link to the Center's 50-year book, MAX POT, produced by architect David Dewane and designed by Courtney Garvin (and available in special edition hardback and paperback): https://lnkd.in/gnjpRKMR Living Future's Ecotone imprint has a book about the Center, too: https://lnkd.in/ggSPW6JD Photo: Lauren Jones #SeriousCommotion #MaxPot
Nellie Reid and I visited MaxPot when we were undergrads at Rice as part of a smart growth conference. That visit launched us both on our career trajectories. We have to be just 2 of many many green building warriors influenced by Pliny and Gail. Their impact is immeasurable.
I'm so happy to hear that Living Future 26 recognized Gail and Pliny's lifetime of achievement, and sad to have missed the opportunity to celebrate with all of you. Like so many in our industry, Gail and Pliny helped launch my career in green and healthy building. And, they continue to advise me today with their unique blend of kindness, humor, and laser sharp systems thinking. I love that quote about using building systems as both a noun and a verb. It shows CMPBS at its best: making hidden truths visible using humor and language that sticks in your memory. Congratulations Gail Vittori and Pliny Fisk III!
So awesome and so well deserved!!!
Thank you, Kira, for posting this celebration of Pliny and Gail’s work! True visionaries who helped bring green, tree-hugging design into the Sustainable Design era. I had the privilege of meeting Pliny at Max Pot some 25 years ago when Gail hosted the GGHC Steering Committee at the ranch. I no sooner shook Pliny’s hand when he said “Grab a bike and follow me”, and off he went. And what I found along the dirt trails through the woods was a living lab of off-the-grid student tree houses that were the dorms for fellowship students to create for themselves, totally off-grid. Amazing! Thank you, Pliny Fisk, for the difference you and Gail have made for us all!
Congratulations Pliny and Gail! Still making good trouble after all these years!!! Pliny, I was recounting your story recently about being so fired up when Gail was on an opening panel at a conference and got into an argument with the conference organizers about an issue of principle. And in the midst of cheering her on in her righteous eloquence, you thought “oh shit. If she’s pissed off the conference organizers, who is going to smooth things over?”
What a meaningful tribute for the work that Pliny and the Center have accomplished. You have impacted so many lives for the best in living safely and healthfully. 👍
Great to see recognition for Pliny, Gail. And Max Pot! It has been so important to many of us and the appreciation is so well deserved.
Still recognizable…Pliny…
Congratulations to Pliny Fisk III so well deserved!
Thank you Kira Gould for recounting what was one of the most moving, memorable and poignant moments for Pliny Fisk III and Center for Maximum Potential Building Systems over our 50 year history. And a big embrace to Lindsay Baker for conceiving this recognition, and to all involved who made it possible -- this work is never singular. It prompts me to recall a quote by social activist Dorothy Day: "Our lives are touched by those who lived centuries ago, and we hope that our lives will mean something to those who will live centuries from now. It's a great 'chain of being,' someone once told me, and I think our job is to hope, to dream and to do the best we can to hold up our small segment of that chain."