SOLSTICE Planning and Architecture - Brochure

SolsticeArchitects.com |1900 Main Street, Suite 202, Sarasota, FL 34236 | 941.365.5721 License No.: AA-26003286 | AR0017714

­ t SOLSTICE Planning and Architecture we believe that design, in its purest form, fulfills A functional and aesthetic requirements completely, elegantly and economically.

Jonathan Parks AIA founded SOLSTICE as a studio for talented problem-solvers working together to advance the principals of building design based on regionalism, cultural history, function, structure, and natural light. Inspired by the craft of building, the firm focuses on revealing the inherent beauty of each project in order to provide a compelling sense of place. Since the design studio’s inception nearly twenty years ago, SOLSTICE and its predecessor firm have received over ninety awards towards the advancement of architecture, planning, preservation, and sustainability. Known for custom contemporary designs and historic renovations like the Art Ovation Hotel and the adaptive reuse of the Paul Rudolph Addition at Sarasota High School, our work is seen as a response to modernism. We believe in a return to regionalism and artistry, where clients’ projects are developed with the “heads, hearts, and hands” of all those involved.

Based within Sarasota, our experience in the City includes over seventy-five local projects.

We've also collaborated directly with city staff, working for twelve years as part of the City of Sarasota's continuing services contract.

Demonstrating a commitment to sustainable design, a number of the firm’s LEED Platinum homes and structures have been rated among the most energy-efficient in the nation. The ideal project focuses on quality design and the craft of construction, using the most up-to-date means and methods available. The result is an environment where space, form, and architecture matters.

Art Ovation Hotel, Sarasota

LOCAL RECOGNITIONS AND AWARDS The coordinated efforts of SOLSTICE, the City and contractors are delivering high quality buildings for Sarasota.

YEARS OF LOCAL EMPLOYMENT WITHIN THE CITY OF SARASOTA SOLSTICE served as part of the Continuing Service Contract for the city.

CITY DEPARTMENTS THAT SOLSTICE HAS COLLABORATED WITH Sarasota and SOLSTICE have built a strong working relationship.

OTHER LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES SERVED RECENTLY SOLSTICE is working to extend its network of collaboration in the Gulf Coast region.

MINUTES TRAVEL TIME BETWEEN SOLSTICE AND BAY PLAZA SOLSTICE is truly local with an inherent understanding of Sarasota’s context.

Sarasota Municipal Auditorium, Renovation

Sarasota High School, Paul Rudolph Addition

Van Wezel Renovation

Renovations, Adaptive Reuse, Restorations At SOLSTICE, we strive to breathe new life into old buildings. Our goal is to conserve resources and preserve historic value - transforming a structure in the most sustainable of ways so that it is equally functional and delightful. Saving places can provide a link to the past and a strong sense of culture. We carefully bring together modern considerations, technologies, code requirements, and building materials to create an authenticity of place that respects the past yet looks towards the future. We use timeless strategies for design, like natural light, form, and space, to re-imagine how an environment impacts the individual experience.

We know that the greenest building are the ones that already exist. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, it takes 65 years for an energy-efficient new building to save the amount of energy lost in demolishing an existing building. By re-purposing existing structures and not building from scratch, we create less waste, reduce necessary shipments which produce carbon, reduce energy, and contribute to countless other sustainable factors.

Jonathan Parks and SOLSTICE have completed numerous renovations of buildings that include the work of Frank Lloyd Wright, Taliesen Associated Architects, and practitioners of the Sarasota School of Architecture including Paul Rudolph, Jack West, and Tim Seibert. These projects have been awarded with highest honors from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the American Institute of Architects' Florida, Tampa Bay, and Gulf Coast Chapters.

Cohen House, Paul Rudolph, Renovation

Sarasota High School, Paul Rudolph Addition

Umbrella House, Paul Rudolph, Renovation

Deering House, Paul Rudolph, Renovation

Sarasota High School, Paul Rudolph Addition

PROJECT EXAMPLE - Adaptive Reuse of Sarasota School of Architecture Sarasota High School, Paul Rudolph Addition, Sarasota, Florida Constructed in 1959, Sarasota High School (SHS) is one of a series of projects designed by Paul Rudolph that had a significant impact on modern architecture in Florida. The final design

by Rudolph positioned the building adjacent to a hillside with the major axis running north/ south. The layout is defined by two breezeways with the largest becoming the “front door” for the building.

After 50-years as a high school, the building was re-purposed to become the “front door” of the entire campus and the home of the administrative offices. Other major parts of project included removing a parapet to restore the roofline as Rudolph designed it; shoring up the west end of the building, which had settled into the elevated ground about three inches; removing air-conditioning and electrical conduits from the exterior; installing code-compliant railings; installing new hurricane-rated windows and repairing several damaged support columns.

All concrete surfaces had to be scraped and chiseled by hand, then repaired and recoated.

Because of the public role as a main entry the Client needed to control direct access to the campus and decided that the breezeway provided the opportunity for enhanced security. The challenge was not only designing enhanced security, but overcoming the current “chain link” fence/gate standards that the school facility guidelines would approve.

This “project with the project” started with a review of possible solutions aso that the new work was not mistaken for something original to the Rudolph composition. The overall intent was to show contrast to the original building in all manner of form.

Continued...

Sarasota High School, Paul Rudolph Addition

• The original palette is white, therefor the new work is black.

• The existing forms float and hang from above, while the new fence / gate are supported and elevated from below.

• The Rudolph shapes are aligned and slip past each other, while the new shapes are overlapped and inter-connect within themselves.

• The outline of all the Rudolph pieces / parts have crisp edges, but the new elements have rounded corners and cylindrical dowel connectors.

The overall intent was to show contrast to the original building in all manner of form. The new gate addresses the character of history without being beholden to it.

The result is an unadorned update and renovation that honors Paul Rudolph’s original design and addresses the needs of 21st century learning.

Before

After

PROJECT EXAMPLE - Saving an Iconic Paul Rudolph Home Cohen House, Sarasota, Florida Modernist architectural works are increasingly in danger of demolition, however, with the efforts of Owner and Architect in restoring one such home, another work will endure. Originally designed in 1954 by architect Paul Rudolph, many concepts he utilized helped define the Sarasota School of Architecture.

The original Owners made a number of ill-advised changes, allowing the home to fall into disrepair. The future of the house was left in question. New Owners located the historic property and started working closely with the Architect in order to restore and update the home while maintaining design purity. By relying on original blueprints and photographs, the Architect distinguished between the original and added elements on the home and guided the restoration according to the guidelines established by The National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Exterior components were in disarray and required detailed attention. Tar and gravel originally poured onto the flat roof to stop leaks were now causing the laminated beams to sag and the

Cohen House Restoration, Sarasota, Florida

ceiling to crack. These materials were stripped off and a spray-on foam roofing system installed.

Additional exterior structural components were repaired and new windows and doors were installed, including replacing jalousie windows with new impacted-rated windows.

The interior restoration included meticulous attention to the original mahogany walls, furnishings and repairing the original terrazzo floors. Lighting fixtures were cleaned and restored, removing those that were not in the original design. The bathrooms were updated and new furniture was purchased to complement the house. The careful rehabilitation was completed over a two-year period. The result is a stunning restoration that is sensitively executed in a manner true to Paul Rudolph’s design.

Awards and Recognitions • Top Honor Award, The H. Dean Rowe, FAIA Award for Design Excellence, American Institute of Architects Tampa Bay Chapter • Honor Award for Design Excellence, American Institute of Architects Tampa Bay Chapter • 1st Place Interior Rehabilitation, National Trust for Historic Preservation

Original 1954

Renovation

Modern design At SOLSTICE, our goal is to create inspiring, timeless architecture with importance placed not only on the tangible, such as volume and shape, but also on immaterial elements such as transparency, light, and space. Our aesthetic favors clean, straight lines, and uncluttered spaces. We embrace the use of natural materials, light-filled spaces, and a connection to the outdoors.

We believe every design should be a portrait of the individual, group, or community it was intended for, and not merely an extension of the architect who brought it to life. The strikingly unique character of each design speaks to our dedication to creating dynamic architecture and interiors centered on the particular aspects of each project and client. Ultimately, our firm values the individual’s experience: before a pencil ever hits paper, we carefully consider all aspects of the site and the people the project is intended for. We design for your needs, while striking a balance between rationalism and romanticism.

Compass Haus, LEED Platinum

PROJECT EXAMPLE - Artful Hospitality in Downtown Sarasota Art Ovation Hotel, Sarasota, Florida The Art Ovation Hotel in downtown Sarasota serves as a connector between cultural institutions, galleries, restaurants, and shops. The challenge was to design a hotel for those in search of an authentic Sarasota experience while enhancing the vibrant streetscape. Conceived as a companion to the Palm Avenue Garage, the goal was to embrace a complementary modern aesthetic and extend the pedestrian-flow of Palm and Cocoanut Avenues. Recognizing Sarasota’s cultural identity, the architect envisioned a hotel dedicated to the arts.

Where many buildings are designed to maximize buildable square footage, the scheme reduced density and height to respect the neighborhood’s existing scale. The form aligns with Palm and then curves north along Cocoanut and is positioned to create wide sidewalks, enhanced with expansive curving canopies.

Connecting to the garage, a free-form skybridge covers guests as they walk from their parked cars; its form, an abstract nod to the neighboring Sarasota School of Architecture building.

Art Ovation Hotel, Sarasota

The curving lobby follows the façade’s lines and lifts the building on a “ribbon of light”. This all-day space is designed so guests can comfortably mingle, enjoy refreshments, entertainment, and the original art collection and exhibitions. There’s a restaurant, bar, and ballroom. Guest rooms include original curated artwork through a partnership with Ringling College.

Aiming to transform visitors arriving via vehicles into pedestrians as quickly as possible, there’s a drop-off canopy on one side and a veranda and skybridge on the other. These connection points are then extended into the lobby, giving visitors a range of transportation options upon arrival - walking, cycling and public transit. The number of on-site code-required parking spaces were minimized and moved to the backside. Natural daylighting, energy-efficient windows, low-flow plumbing, and Florida-friendly landscaping was used. Rooftop rainwater is collected into a 100,000-gallon subterranean cistern.

The result is a true reflection of the Sarasota experience.

PROJECT EXAMPLE - The "Living Room" for the Neighborhood Rosemary Square, Sarasota, Florida The Rosemary District is near downtown Sarasota, known as the Cultural Capital of Florida.

The vision for Rosemary Square was to create a “living room” for the neighborhood which had become rundown over recent decades and without a public park. The architect’s goal was to re-energize the community by finally bringing arts to Boulevard of the Arts.

The resulting scheme was designed as three buildings positioned to make a community square.

The concept was to prioritize the space in between the buildings in concert with how the buildings touch the street, addressing the pedestrian scale and nurturing daily human interaction. Organic walking patterns were studied and addressed. Outdoor hallways create cross ventilation and lead to the square where open-air dining, festivals, markets, even movies, are enjoyed.

To keep the rents accessible for non-profits, an industrial aesthetic combines functionality with design. Concrete blocks and galvanized metal evoke the feeling of a warehouse district. Vivid colors accent outdoor hallways, urging pedestrians to discover new pathways.

Rosemary Square

Tenants now include Sarasota Ballet School, Players Studio, and Sarasota Contemporary Dance. Sarasota Opera houses their visiting artists within thirty apartments – walkable to the historic opera house. A courtyard sculpture and murals by local artists were commissioned.

The Overton is an open-air restaurant in the courtyard that embodies the spirit of Rosemary Square using materials like recycled plywood, transparent garage doors, copper piping, and abundant potted vegetation.

The color palette is mostly white to reduce heat absorption. Large overhangs form shade.

Natural daylighting, energy-efficient windows, LED lighting, low VOC finishes, a wellinsulated building envelope, low-flow plumbing, Florida-friendly landscaping, and EnergyStar appliances are used. Permeable walkway pavers and an underground water-vault provide rainwater management. Near public transportation, bike racks encourage a carbon-free alternative.

With the project’s completion, the surrounding neighborhood exploded with activity including 1,500 new housing units within walking distance.

Palm Avenue Parking Garage

St. Armands Parking Garage

Sustainability SOLSTICE is fully committed to creating architecture that is sustainable in every sense – environmentally, economically, and culturally. We design with an environmental consciousness.

Our architects and designers are committed to preserving natural resources, and they work carefully to include them as project features. We also utilize many of the techniques and materials that are essential to meaningful sustainability, such as building systems commissioning; construction waste management; water-conserving plumbing features; low VOC paints, adhesive, and sealant; recycled materials and increased access to natural daylight. These strategies provide a high-quality environment for the client and make a lasting contribution to present and future generations. Additionally, our firm has extensive experience with the design and construction of buildings and homes that are LEED and Florida Green Building Coalition Certified. With a green philosophy that states, “the most energy-efficient light fixture is the one you never have to turn on,� the firm designs timeless structures in which natural light, form, site orientation, and building envelope are the greatest contributors to energy efficiency. This has lead to a number of our LEED projects being recognized as some of the most energy efficient in the United States.

Rosemary Square, The Overton

Recognitions and awards for sustainability • Multiple LEED Platinum projects rated among the highest in the state of Florida and the nation for energy efficiency • Multiple LEED Gold projects • Merit Award for Sustainability, AIA Florida • First ever Sustainability Design Award, American Institute of Architects Tampa Bay • Sustainability Design Award, AIA Tampa Bay • Parksmart Silver, Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) • LEED Homes Awards, Finalist • Grand Aurora,Water-Wise Home • Grand Aurora, Energy Efficient Home • Aurora, Green Construction • Aurora, Solar Energy Home • Aurora, Water-Wise Home

• Aurora, Energy Efficient Home • Silver, Sustainability, SRQ Home of the Year • Platinum Award, Best Sustainable/ Green Project, SRQ Home of the Year • Silver Award for Sustainable, SRQ Home of the Year, SRQ Magazine • Aurora Award, Best Energy Efficient Home • Aurora Award, Best Water-Wise Home; • Aurora Award, Best Solar Energy Efficient House • Aurora Award, Best Natural Gas Single Family Home • LEEDership Award, US Green Building Council Tampa Bay Chapter • Green Construction, Aurora Award

Element House, Sarasota - LEED Platinum

Contact Jonathan Parks, AIA 941.365.5721 info@solsticearchitects.com

SolsticeArchitects.com info@solsticearchitects.com 1900 Main Street, Ste. 202, Sarasota, FL 34236