Sarasota has yet another cultural gem to share with our region. The Center for Architecture Sarasota (CFAS) has been created in a stunning mid-century modern structure as an adaptive reuse, featuring an exhibition space, lecture hall, design studio and classroom.
In 1959, William Rupp and Joe Farrell, two respected members of the Sarasota School of Architecture and proteges of Paul Rudolph, designed this floating white vision of a building, with terrazzo floors, window walls and an I-beam cast concrete roof, to house a 7,000-square-foot furniture store.
Over the years it was chopped up into many other uses, and its clean lines were hidden behind particle board and dropped ceilings. Sarasota County purchased this property at 265 S. Orange Avenue and used it for a print shop, under-appreciating the amazing building it owned.
Enter visionary Cynthia Peterson, the founder and guiding light of this enterprise. As an architectural archivist and Sarasota resident, she knows her stuff. A compelling, impassioned leader, she managed to put together a 501(c)3 organization, sweet-talk the county into donating the property, create a plan, and preserve and renovate this building, all within 18 months — warp speed!
While there are 20 architectural centers in America, this one is unique. The others are all under the umbrella of a local American Institute of Architects chapter, but CFAS is independent, though the Florida Suncoast Chapter of the AIA will meet there. The seven-person CFAS Board includes no architects, but rather community leaders who are committed to educating the public about design and planning.
Smart young people are always part of improving things, so the Center has cleverly brought them into the mix. In August, the University of Florida is launching a program called CityLab-Sarasota for grad students in architecture.
“These UF students will study architecture and urbanism in a culturally and environmentally rich community that also faces great ecological and infrastructural challenges as it continues to grow,” said Martin Gold, director of the UF School of Architecture. The CityLab students will work closely with local residents to solve real-world problems.
Guy Peterson, Cynthia’s husband, is key to CFAS, too. He served as the renovation architect, enjoying the privilege of collaborating with Joe Ferrell, who still practices architecture in Hawaii. The interim director of CityLab, Peterson muses, “With our rich architectural history and the fact that we embrace modernism, Sarasota, I believe, will become a magnet for architecture students.”
Cleverly, CityLab will pay for its office and design studio space by picking up the Center’s tab for utilities and maintenance. The $850,000 renovation was accomplished with in-kind donations, grants and contributions from individuals and companies. The all-volunteer board worked hard to secure these resources in record time.
Even the CFAS website is an aesthetic experience. It lays out the Center’s mission, which is to celebrate Sarasota’s rich architectural legacy through exhibits, lectures, films, special events and tours, and to advocate for “innovative new design and sensitive urban planning.”
Recognizing that we are all shaped by our surroundings, the Center aims to shine a light on the best examples of these as an inspiration to up our game.
OK, I admit it: I’m really jealous. Tampa Bay faces the same challenges and we have no Center yet. However, our local team has aspirations. The Tampa Bay Foundation for Architecture and Design was formally launched in March. “We are working closely with AIA Tampa Bay and plan to establish a Center for Architecture and Design by 2016,” said John Tennison, AIA Foundation president.
Taryn Sabia, director of the Florida Center for Urban Design and Research, understands the value of such a center for the community.
“Tampa has a number of community-engaged organizations that elevate architecture and design of the built environment in public conversation. A center, or collaborative space, would be an ideal way to further the capacity of organizations such as AIA Tampa Bay, Urban Charrette, Tampa Preservation, Inc., among others, and even educational institutions such as USF’s School of Architecture and Community Design.”
The magic of a gathering spot, especially a strikingly attractive one, is that it pulls people and ideas toward it. If we recognize and value our surroundings, having a special place to discuss, debate and work to improve them makes sense. It is my dream that Tampa Bay follows Sarasota’s excellent example and creates such a center.
Cynthia Peterson expresses it well. “We are honored to bring this new cultural institution to Sarasota. Now that we have completed the restoration of this important mid-century modern building, we look forward to producing an assortment of dynamic, exciting and educational events focused on our mission to deeply engage our community as well as future design professionals. The best is yet to come.”
This article appears in Apr 23-29, 2015.