[new_royalslider id="12"]

Beach Park Pavilions, Sarasota County

Sweet Sparkman Architects

(Slideshow)

This Spirit of Sarasota submission is a series of commissioned beach-side park restroom pavilions. Each of these pavilions share a common design signature: an abstract version of sea oats, vegetation synonymous with the gulf beaches of Sarasota, to create a continuous theme in the facade. The abstract use of these "sea oats" as a screen element was used to unite the ramp with the building, rather than having the ramp appear to be an appendage to the design. The wood ramp system is suspended from the cast-in-place concrete roof slab with stainless steel rods. As one ascends the ramp, the natural preserve encloses the buildings, which are oriented to provide enhanced views of the Gulf of Mexico and Sarasota Bay.

These beach park pavilions provide new ADA-compliant restroom facilities built to withstand hurricane-force winds. Each are elevated above the FEMA elevation, with handicap accessible ramps. They contain group toilet rooms with a separate family restrooms, a small space for turtle patrol volunteers and multi-function rooms. These pavilions have sustainable design features that include clerestory louvers for passive ventilation, cisterns for rainwater collection and skylights for daylight harvesting.  Cement-fiber siding, cast-in-place concrete and aluminum tube "sea oats" are the exterior materials selected for their ability to withstand the waterfront environment and seasonal weather.

The gently sloping roof forms recall the legacy and history of the Sarasota School of Architecture. Each pavilion provides spectacular views of Sarasota’s uniquely beautiful beaches and waterways while continuing this heritage of distinctive beachfront civic architecture.

Click here to vote for this project. >>