Center for Architecture Sarasota organizers have grand designs

Even though the Center for Architecture Sarasota is just 18 months old, it’s difficult to sum up all of the work done by the individuals behind the organization.

In that time, they founded the new nonprofit, secured a building from the county to house their operations, raised $1 million to rehab the 1960s building, refurbished the downtown space and held a formal grand opening this March.

At the same time, they also reached an agreement with the University of Florida to establish a satellite architecture degree program within their downtown headquarters, located at 265 S. Orange Ave. Thanks to more donations, the center is providing more than $2,000 in scholarships for each of the seven students enrolled for 2015-16.

Even that fails to address the work done to bring in exhibits and speakers, to organize other events and engage the city’s design community. And that’s just what’s been visible to the public. Chairwoman Cynthia Peterson says there are more opportunities in the works that they’re eager to explore further.

“We have so many ideas,” Peterson said. “We’re not lacking ideas.”

The mission of the Center for Architecture is difficult to sum up, too. That’s by design — Peterson has a broad vision for the center’s place within the community. After all the organization has accomplished in a year and a half, she’s not putting a box on its capability to grow.

“We want to be a lot of things to a lot of different people, because, otherwise, if we’re just speaking to the architects in town, there’s already an association that does that,” Peterson said.

A high degree of dedication will be required to accomplish everything the board of directors imagines might be possible for the Center for Architecture. Based on what she’s seen so far, Peterson doesn’t think that’ll be a problem. 

“We don’t eat, we don’t sleep — we have no family lives left,” Peterson jokes. “It’s passion. It’s just pure passion.”

A 'third place'

That’s not to say the center is a Jack of all trades at the expense of being a master of none. Peterson imagines it first as a “third place” — a safe space away from the private or government realms to discuss the future of the region’s built environment.

Whether it’s a specific project or a broader conversation regarding something such as bayfront planning, the Center for Architecture hopes to unite local experts, outside voices and rank-and-file citizens to hash out issues pertaining to design.

“We’ll all come with an open mind, and we’ll come to a good, smart, sustainable consensus that also pleases the person on the street,” Peterson said.

Vice Chairwoman Sandra Timpson Motto points to an October panel discussion regarding affordable housing as a sort of template for how future conversations might work. Michael Pyatok, an architect who helped build affordable housing in Oakland, gave a lecture that was followed by a panel discussion of the issue with city staff and private individuals.

“Many issues have been solved creatively elsewhere,” Peterson said. “We’d love to bring those solutions to our community, to teach and educate and inform.”

Stars aligning

In retrospect, both Peterson and Motto are still amazed that their vision was able to come together so quickly and smoothly.

“It was harmonic convergence,” Motto said.

It all began with Peterson, who formerly served as the curator for the University of Florida Architecture Archives. Serving in that capacity — and being married to Sarasota architect Guy Peterson — gave her a perspective on the state of architecture on a local and statewide level. A focus on architectural history led to a focus on the dwindling connection to previous generations of design.

“That became a very important part of my career, having to deal with historical architectural records — where all we have left is the drawings, because the buildings are gone,” Cynthia Peterson said.

With preservation on her mind — as well as the initial seeds that became CFAS — Peterson set her sights on the Scott Building. Designed in 1960, the Sarasota School of Architecture building was in use by Sarasota County as a printing and mail facility. Peterson sought to not only preserve the building for the long-term, but also to establish a higher and better use for the building.

Thanks to her husband, who was teaching at UF at the time, she knew the college was interested in starting a Sarasota program. Former County Commissioner Joe Barbetta, now a CFAS board member, helped the organization secure the Scott Building as its headquarters. Members of the design community were responsive to the concept behind the center, and donors were eager to offer their support.

Past and present

In addition to a school and a discussion space, CFAS is also its own cultural institution. Its first exhibition begins Sept. 1, a showcase of the work of Guy Peterson.

Things kick into full gear in October, which has been designated Architecture and Design Month by both the city and county. Some of the events on the docket include a new exhibit, a lecture from renowned architect Toshiko Mori, a children’s education and a walking tour.

Every day in October the organization will also send out an email highlighting a historic work of architecture from Sarasota or Florida. It speaks to the center’s focus on preservation, an area of strength anchored by Peterson’s substantial archival experience.

“We want to be a lot of things to a lot of different people. If we’re just speaking to the architects in town, there’s already an association that does that.”

– Cynthia Peterson, chairwoman, Center for Architecture, Sarasota

“Cindy is the only person who could have done this, really,” Motto said.

As Sarasota goes through a period of increased construction, there is a growing concern from some residents the area’s connection to the past is being erased. Peterson wants to help bridge a gap — to promote and highlight exemplary works and principles from earlier decades, and to encourage a continued emphasis on good architecture today.

As they begin their work in earnest, CFAS board members knows it’s a tall task to get widespread buy-in from the community. Still, they’re optimistic — and they hope they’ve already begun to promote a greater focus on architecture in choosing their new home.

“I think we are the beacon for that right here,” Peterson said. “We’ve taken a building and not only have we preserved it, we’ve renovated and repurposed this lovely building.”