Public Building
SARASOTA ART MUSEUM OF RINGLING COLLEGE ART + DESIGN PLATINUM
WILLIS A. SMITH CONSTRUCTION AND LAWSON GROUP ARCHITECTS
The restoration of the original 62,000-square-foot Gothic-style 1926 Sarasota High School building began with a full exterior restoration that included tuck pointing of the entire brick facade, replacement of the windows, and repairing and replacement of decorative terra-cotta. Careful attention was paid to keep the original aesthetic appeal of the building. Interior finishes included restoration and replacement of existing terrazzo flooring, new interior partition walls, joists and windows. The existing tower is utilized as a 30-foot clerestory via skylight. A loading dock was being added and new elevators were installed in existing stair shafts and a new cast-in-place decorative concrete shaft. The first floor houses classrooms, gallery spaces, an auditorium and a gift shop. The second floor features the museum of contemporary art for both traveling and temporary exhibits. The third floor encompasses additional galleries as well as support offices for continuing education and museum staff. During the design phase, the Sarasota County School Board turned over a 25,000-square-foot Paul Rudolph–designed single-story building to Ringling College to be incorporated into the design. This building originally housed the School’s technical classes, including auto repair and shop classes. True to the College’s vision, the building offers continuing education spaces to those curious to learn about the arts and a contemporary art museum with rotating exhibits to allow local art lovers to keep a fresh perspective on new practices and techniques. As stated by Dr. Larry Thompson, president of Ringling College, “The Ringling College Museum campus is intended to act as a creative cluster in this region. The experiences offered will enable visitors not only to redevelop their creativity, but also to become part of a community involved in dialogue that stretches their thinking.”
Architect: Lawson Group Architects, Inc. Contractor: Willis A. Smith Construction, Inc. Interior Design: Lawson Group Architects, Inc.. Structural Engineer: Wilson Structural Consultants, Inc.. Mechanical Engineer: AM Engineering, Inc. Landscape Architect: David W. Johnston Associates. Flooring: The Wood Floor Store. Photographer: Ryan Gamma Photography. Museum Design Consultant: Keenan & Riley Architects.
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