SRQ Magazine | February 2025: 4Walls Visionary Design Awards

Four adjoining walls may make a space inhabitable, but after evolving through the design process realized buildings become activated with purpose and narrative. Celebrating the year’s most impressive multi-unit and multi-story projects, the 4WALLS Building of the Year Design Competition recognizes the region’s built portfolio with the 4WALLS Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards. PRODUCED BY SRQ MEDIA

4WALLS JUDGE

Stephen Charles Smith

Stephen Charles Smith Architects, Principal, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP

Stephen was a Designer, Architect, and Project Manager at several leading architecture firms for over 10 years, including Rafael Vinoly Architects (RVA) in NYC. While at RVA, Stephen led the 277 Fifth Avenue project which was awarded the “Best Tall Building of 2019” from CTBUH.

Keith Nelson

TruexCullins Principal, LEED AP BD+C

Keith Nelson brings to TruexCullins a keen understanding of the design, project management and construction process with a focus on hospitality and single-family residential.

4WALLS JUDGE

MARIE SELBY BOTANICAL GARDENS MASTER PLAN

PHASE ONE WILLIS A. SMITH CONSTRUCTION, INC.

Architect

Overland Partners

Architecture

Urban Design/Sweet Sparkman

Architecture & Interiors

Contractor

Willis A. Smith Construction

Mechanical Engineer/ Structural Engineer

ARUP

Civil Engineer

Kimley-Horn and Associates

Landscape Design

The Olin Studio

Interior Design

Overland Partners, ArchitectureUrban Design

Landscape Design

The Olin Studio

Photography

Ryan Gamma Photography

Photo Renderer

Overland Partners, ArchitectureUrban Design

The placement of a large parking garage amid a beautiful neighborhood and on the grounds of a much-loved attraction like Selby Gardens, was not without controversy. Selby Gardens, its designers and the Willis Smith Construction team met with neighbors and city officials on multiple occasions to agree on a design to give Selby Gardens the much-needed parking, visually complement the site and to further propel Selby Gardens to become a world-class botanical garden. The results of this effort include the 180,858 SF, four-story, Morganroth Living Energy Access Facility (LEAF) parking garage, gift shop and a garden-to-plate restaurant The Green Orchid, with a 50,000 SF solar array on the roof. The 450-parking space garage is screened by vines, growing from stainless steel cables from the ground floor to the fourth floor. The LEAF includes a rooftop garden growing herbs, vegetables and fruits for use in the Green Orchid Restaurant located on the first level. The edible garden is maintained by military veterans. The project includes the two-story, 32,682 SF Steinwachs Family Plant Research Center, housing an Herbarium and Molecular Lab, a library with a rare books section, theater, offices, staff lounges and conference rooms. The Jean Goldstein Welcome Center is the epicenter of Phase One and consists of two stand-alone buildings, one for ticketing operations along with a gallery exhibit building. A major challenge and accomplishment for the team was the construction phasing in a facility open to the public seven days a week and almost 365 days a year. The goal to meet the Living Building Challenge was met with the solar array and other innovations making this facility one of the most sustainable buildings of its type in the world. Selby Gardens was selected for TIME Magazine’s Annual List of the World’s Greatest Places.

PALM AVENUE DELI

BLOK DESIGN GROUP

The Palm Avenue Deli is situated on a pedestrian-friendly street within the city’s urban core. Designed to replace an existing retail showroom, construction was a challenge because this location had never served as a restaurant; all the infrastructure would have to be developed within an existing poured-in-place concrete structure. The vision was to create a destination space that offered a heightened visual experience for guests. The open layout reinforces the social nature of the design with the goal of crafting that “third place” within the community. Space planning was crucial to the design process. To create a “buzzy” New York-style atmosphere, an open kitchen layout embraces pedestrians. Guests enter and are immediately greeted by the host or may choose to visit the bakery, self-serve kiosks, or be seated in one of two dining areas. Solo diners are made to feel special with a view of the kitchen or Palm Ave. To accommodate the new restaurant, much of the existing interior was demolished while care was taken to preserve back-of-house spaces and re-purpose interior components. All the existing mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire suppression systems had to be redesigned or significantly repaired. The interior design creates a feeling of the classic Jewish deli, but with a modern, Florida vibe. Dark green, teal, weathered brass, gold paint, and black finishes create an immersive atmosphere. The flooring is an updated version of familiar black and white checkerboard, mixing 24x24” with 12-by-24” tiles to create a non-traditional pattern. Sleek black subway tiles are mixed with penny-tile wallcovering. The ceiling, which looks like vintage tin, is acoustic tile. Tabletops are edged in brass banding and feature vintage comic-strip artwork with Sarasota references. The result delivers beauty and function, transporting guests with a multi-sensory experience of familiar comfort and daily inspiration.

Architect

Solstice Planning & Architecture |

Jonathan Parks

Contractor

R.E. Crawford Construction

Interior Design

Blok Design Group

Mechanical Engineer

Infinity Engineering

Developer

ML Real Estate

Photographer

Dylan Jon Wade Cox -DJWC Photo

Renderer

Blok Design Group

LAKEWOOD RANCH LIBRARY

FAWLEY BRYANT ARCHITECTURE

The Lakewood Ranch Library design concept began with a treehouse. Treehouses are impactful, built not to be symmetrical but to integrate into the natural inconsistencies of nature. A stairway to the roof models the experience of climbing up a tree, with vignettes of views out into the neighboring community and sports complex, walls gaining transparency as you climb. The tree also ties into the library’s function, tying into that quest for knowledge and the comfort found beneath a tree’s shade. Simple geometry maximizes the square footage within budgetary constraints, and during design development, the county expanded the program to two stories and added a roof terrace. The first floor of the library houses primary library functions, innovative makerspaces, and classrooms encouraging creativity and learning, supporting a variety of activities. The second floor was designed to be flexible to needs not yet assigned, adaptable to future office space or expanded library functions. The unknown future use of the second floor was a challenge that we addressed by increasing structural load capacity so that if it is used for library functions, the weight will be supported. Another challenge arose in offering a traditionally quiet library for a population with growing numbers of families with children. Sound level concerns were addressed by implementing a dedicated children’s space, acoustically separated from quieter spaces of the library. Accessible spaces allow the community to utilize meeting spaces outside regular library hours, and accessibility is extended via drive-throughs for book pickup and dropoff. Flexibility was a key element of design, with the library proposed to become a hub not just for traditional library functions, but also for events like Zumba on the rooftop and open sewing and robotics classes. Library stacks are on wheels, and furniture is all transitional to accommodate different needs within the space.

Architect Fawley Bryant Architecture; Developer Manatee Count; Contractor Willis A. Smith Construction; Interior Design Fawley Bryant Architecture;

GULF COAST COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

PLUNKETT RAYSICH ARCHITECTS, LLP

The Gulf Coast Community Foundation, headquartered in Venice, Florida, envisioned a modern and sophisticated space for their new Philanthropic Center in downtown Sarasota. The foundation drives regional philanthropy and community development through impactful charitable initiatives and investment in local causes across Florida’s Gulf Coast. This renovation embodies the organization’s core values, aspirations, and its significant commitment to Sarasota. Spanning a mere 4,600 square feet on the ground floor of a 10,000 square foot historic building along State Street, the project breathes new life into a structure with a storied past. Originally constructed as a bank in 1955, the building has had many lives including a furniture gallery and an art gallery. The interior layout was entirely reimagined to fulfill the client’s programmatic requirements.

The renovation transforms the once dim and outdated space into a luminous, contemporary office. Expansive storefront openings on the west facade flood the interior with natural light, enhancing its inviting atmosphere. The new design includes two intimate private meeting rooms, a spacious boardroom, a divisible community room, and an elegantly appointed donor lounge. The welcoming entry foyer seamlessly connects to a reception area and refreshment space, setting a warm tone for visitors. At the corridor’s end, open office workstations cater to visiting employees, complemented by a large catering kitchen for community events and essential restrooms. A notable discovery during the renovation were two old bank vaults. While one could not be incorporated, the other was preserved as a distinctive feature of the office space. Additionally, original brickwork, once hidden beneath plaster, was exposed to highlight the building’s historical character. The boardroom features wood meticulously reclaimed from the historic John Ringling Hotel, infusing the space with a rich sense of Sarasota heritage. This design stands as a testament to the foundation’s dedication to fostering community growth. It promises to be a pivotal space for over 1,000 families who have established charitable funds, reinforcing the Foundation’s commitment to its visionary and mission-driven goals.

Architect Plunkett Raysich Architects, LLP; Contractor Willis A. Smith Construction; Mechanical Engineer Genesis Engineering Group; Interior Design Plunkett Raysich Architects, LLP; Structural Engineer Snell Engineering Consultants; Photographer Ryan Gamma Photography.