Sarasota is experiencing a renaissance in the appreciation for its built environment. Some may see this fascination as trendy but throughout history, art and architecture have enlightened the human experience and helped shape civilization. This philosophy has always resonated in our community, which was first influenced by John and Mable Ringling’s love affair with the art, architecture and gardens of Italy and Europe. Later, a pioneering group of gifted young architects converged on our growing city in the middle of last century and developed a regional architectural vocabulary known today as the “Sarasota School of Architecture.”

The Center for Architecture Sarasota recently celebrated its one-year anniversary and began the renovation of its future home in the heart of downtown, a building designed in 1960 by two members of the elite who helped found the Sarasota School of Architecture movement. The Center is an important addition to our non-profit community and has been instrumental in bringing to the area the University of Florida CityLab-Sarasota, an architecture graduate program dedicated to providing these students with direct involvement with community projects.  Along with housing this program, the Center will serve as a destination for both residents and visitors to learn about our built environment and celebrate it through public education, preservation efforts, lectures from international experts and gallery events.  The Center for Architecture Sarasota will also act as a catalyst for innovative design, urban planning and land use in our own community.  The goal of the organization is to bring together academia, practitioners, outside experts, government officials and the community-at-large to ensure that Sarasota continues to be a place known for its beauty, integrity and support for the creative community in which it thrives.

This month we share ideas, insights and stories from the Center for Architecture Sarasota, an SRQ Story Project partner.

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