Sarasota Orchestra’s Board of Directors approved the selection of William Rawn
Associates as the design architect for the future Music Center at 5701 Fruitville Road.
The Boston-based firm will work closely with the executive architect, HKS, acoustician and theatre planner, Stages
Consultants, and other key project partners to bring the transformative project to life. The Music Center will bring the
region its first concert hall purpose-built for acoustic music.
When Sarasota Orchestra leaders select the
architects responsible for designing the new
Music Center, it will signify the realization of a
meticulously planned and diligently executed
process, representing a pivotal moment in the
project’s transition from an aspirational concept to
a concrete, physical structure.
The selection process began in earnest late in 2023
when Sarasota Orchestra’s Board of Directors
approved the criteria for evaluating potential Design
Architect partners. Informed by discussions with
staff, musicians, and peers in the arts community,
the seven requirements adopted by the Board
(see sidebar on the right) consider both standard
measures of professionalism, such as reputation and
track record, as well as artistic vision and specific
experience designing concert halls.
“It’s a very unique project that requires a qualified
and collaborative architectural partner in order to
deliver a successful project,” said Matt Edwards,
senior vice president and project executive at
Garfield Public/Private LLC. Edwards brings
over 15 years of real estate and development
experience to the Music Center planning team,
including expertise in performing arts centers,
theatres, and cultural venues. Among other
projects, he recently led the development of
Steinmetz Hall as part of the Dr. Phillips Center
for the Performing Arts campus, currently
one of Florida’s only three concert halls for
acoustic music.
Drawing on this experience, Edwards and
his team developed a request for proposals
and invited participation from a select list of
design architectural firms with both expertise
in acoustically excellent and architecturally
significant venue designs.
Meanwhile, Sarasota Orchestra’s Board of
Directors established a Building Committee
that will review and evaluate proposals and
interview top finalists. They anticipate presenting
recommended architects for approval in the
coming months.
“It’s definitely exciting to take a building program
and turn it into something three-dimensional,” said
Edwards. “The architects have a very specific and
important responsibility to take the mission and
vision of both the Orchestra and the Music Center
and turn that into reality. Putting it on paper is the
first step towards construction.”
Criteria for Evaluating Potential
Music Center Design Architects
Collaborative spirit: Evidence of successful collaboration on projects with multiple partners.
Aesthetic and building integrity: Demonstrated commitment to an artistic vision and structural integrity.
Reputation and experience: Affirmative testimony from other venue owners, consultants, and contractors.
Responsiveness and timeliness: Proven ability to work efficiently and meet deadlines.
Capacity and bandwidth: Assurance of staff tenure and availability to complete the work.
Designing to budget: Demonstrated ability to create innovative designs within specified budget constraints.
Phasing design and flexibility: Ability to design a venue that can be constructed in phases should the need arise.
This diagram illustrates how the design and executive architects will work together throughout the Music Center project.
ENSURING DESIGN AND ACOUSTIC EXCELLENCE
THROUGH COLLABORATION
Some may be intrigued to learn there will in fact be two partners
involved in the project: a Design Architect tasked with envisioning the
overarching artistic direction and visual appeal during the initial design
stages; and an Executive Architect, also known as the “Architect of
Record,” who is licensed in Florida and responsible for transforming the
design plans into construction blueprints while ensuring adherence to
regulatory standards and quality assurance.
Sarasota Orchestra’s Executive Architect, HKS, was recently selected by
the Sarasota Orchestra’s Board. In addition to considering the safety,
accessibility, sustainability, and other standard requirements of any
building project, both HKS and the Design Architect selected for the
Music Center must also consider specifications for a concert hall with
superb acoustics. They must work not only with each other, but also with
the expert acousticians and theater planners at Stages Consultants who
are leading research to determine needs for the performance platform
size and configuration, volume space, height of the mechanized riser
system, infrastructure to block exterior noise, and more.
BUILDING A STRONG FOUNDATION THROUGH STRATEGIC
PLANNING AND DUE DILIGENCE
The work with Stages Consultants is just one example of the careful
planning that has been carried out to reach this exciting time in the
project. Other steps up to this point have included development of the
building program to determine the size and function of the venue’s
various spaces, securing approval for a zoning variance and special
exceptions, surveying peers in the arts community about their needs, and
extensive behind-the-scenes work on fundraising activities for
the project.
“It’s worth noting that many projects falter when the architect is the
first consultant hired, leading to simple renderings without program
considerations,” said Edwards. “While artistic vision is important, we
made a purposeful decision not to make this a design competition.
We’ve conducted extensive due diligence through our strategic planning
process, reaching the most efficient and effective time to advance to the
next stages of the process to realize a truly outstanding Music Center.”
A TIMELINE FOR TRANSFORMING SARASOTA’S
MUSICAL LANDSCAPE
The architectural design process, from conceptualization through
approved construction drawings, is expected to take two years and will
be followed by construction.
While the process may seem long for community members eager to
experience the magic of a new Music Center, it is crucial to recognize
that this is the final chapter in an endeavor to establish a transformative
cultural hub for Sarasota, Manatee, and neighboring areas, designed to
endure for the next century.
As Edwards aptly stated, “Sarasota Orchestra is not just constructing a
building; it’s creating a legacy that will enrich the lives of generations
to come.”
HKS Selected as Architect of Record for Music Center
Sarasota Orchestra’s
Sarasota Orchestra’s Board of Directors has approved the selection
of HKS as the architect of record, also referred to as an “Executive
Architect” for its new Music Center.
The Executive Architect will work in close alignment with the Design
Architect, Sarasota Orchestra leadership, project executives from
Garfield Public/Private LLC., and theater planners and acousticians
from Stages Consultants. The selection process for a Design Architect
is underway. (Learn more in the above article, “Sarasota Orchestra
Process to Select Design Architect Underway.”)
HKS, a leading global architecture firm with offices in Orlando
and Miami, has extensive experience creating cultural facilities that
celebrate and build community.
HKS was recognized in 2023 among winners of the American Institute
of Architects’ COTE® Top Ten Award for sustainable design excellence,
and in 2022 was named by Fast Company among the most innovative
architecture firms. Its cultural portfolio includes the YouTube Theater
(Inglewood, California), the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Theater
(Salt Lake City, Utah), the Arlington Independent School District Center
for Visual and Performing Arts (Arlington, Texas), and the Dr. Phillips
Center for the Performing Arts (Orlando, Florida).
HKS has advised the Orchestra on the Music Center project since 2018,
providing site fit analyses, building massing studies, and site master
planning based on the Orchestra’s building program.
“We are thrilled to partner with HKS as our Executive Architect for the
Music Center,” said Sarasota Orchestra CEO Joe McKenna. “The
team’s extensive experience and commitment to excellence will be
invaluable as we work with the design architecture firm selected
to create a cultural landmark and a hub for community connection
and education.”
“We understand the importance of this Music Center to Sarasota
and Manatee, and we are excited to help bring to life a facility
that reflects Sarasota Orchestra’s vision,” said Matt Clear, Partner
and Director of HKS’s Orlando office. “We look forward to
working closely with Sarasota Orchestra, the Design Architect, and
other world-class consultants on this project to create a facility that
stands apart not only for its beauty and performance, but also for
its technical excellence.”
Music Center Update: April 2024
In this update, we’re excited to share the decision by Sarasota Orchestra’s Board of Directors to approve the
selection
of a critical project partner, and highlight for you why a Music Center is the “missing piece” of our arts and
cultural
community.
On Jan. 18, Sarasota County Commissioners unanimously approved our application for
re-zoning and special exceptions for the land where we plan to build a music center.
Sarasota Orchestra can now move forward with purchase of the 32-acre parcel at 5701 Fruitville Road.
Along with increased space for rehearsal, storage and education activities, the proposed music center will
bring our region something it has never had: a state-of-the-art concert hall with outstanding acoustics.
When we announced in March that Sarasota Orchestra identified a site for our new home, we expressed a desire to
develop our new music center and acoustically engineered concert hall into a valuable arts and cultural asset in
which everyone in our dynamic region may take immense pride.
We are excited to share the first of many updates with you as work continues to realize this vision.
