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In the twenty-five years between 1941 and 1966 the innovative designs
of Sarasota homes and businesses captured the attention of the design
community worldwide. Presently, renewed interest in this “school” of
architecture has occurred, fostering the publication of a book by
architect John Howey, entitled The Sarasota School of Architecture as
well as local, regional and national symposiums on the style.
Although these modern buildings seem young when compared with
traditional historic resources, their unique design, and innovative
use of materials may prove to be Sarasota’s most significant
architectural legacy.
Many of the homes that are part of the Sarasota School of
Architecture were built on our barrier islands. They were built there
because of their appeal to seasonal residents as low cost second
homes, and because of their distinctly different designs, in contrast
with the traditional architectural styles of the north. The
philosophy of the style, to bring the outdoors in, also complimented
the casual lifestyle of Siesta, Casey, and Lido Keys.
Ralph Twitchell, an early Sarasota architect is credited by most
people as being the “Grandfather” of the Sarasota school of
architecture. Although his work in Sarasota dates from the 1920’s, it
was in the late 1930’s that his design grew more modern with a
notable emphasis on clean fluid building lines and a lack of
ornamentation. Twitchell completed his own Modern house on Siesta
Key’s Big Pass in 1942. Still standing the home’s open plan, flat
roof with broad overhangs, large expanse of glass, and stacked Ocala
Block walls were typical of the early homes of the Sarasota School
movement. The horizontality of these designs blended well with the
flat Florida landscape.
It was after World War II that some of the most interesting examples
of the Sarasota School of Architecture were completed. These homes
took advantage of building technologies and materials that were
developed as part of the war effort. One of the earliest and most
prominent of these residences was the Healy Guest House designed by
Ralph Twitchell and his young partner Paul Rudolph in 1948. This
eight hundred square foot house drew attention worldwide for its
innovative design which included a low slung, catenary roof supported
by suspended cables, and walls constructed of louvered wood and fixed
glass. A unique roof coating, which had been used to mothball ships
during World War II, caused observers to call it the Cocoon House.
In 1952 after having established his own firm, Paul Rudolph designed
a series of beach cabanas on south Siesta Key at the Sanderling Club.
There he continued his earlier experiments with plywood construction,
this time modifying the roof from a catenary form to a vaulted one.
Listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1994, these
simple structures were recognized for their exceptional significance
in the area of architecture.
A number of other architects also have made significant contributions
to establishing Sarasota’s unique regional architecture, which has
come to be known as the Sarasota School of Architecture.
For more information and photos see theSarasota County Historical web site
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