Sarasota Orchestra Names Design Architect for Music Center

October 29, 2024 | Sarasota

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.

Founded in 1983, William Rawn Associates is one of the country’s foremost architectural firms with a portfolio of facilities spanning arts and culture, urban and affordable housing, higher education and more. Notable projects include the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s Seiji Ozawa Hall at Tanglewood, which was named “2nd Best American Concert Hall built in the last 50 Years” and “13th Best Concert Hall in the World” by Leo Beranek’s Concert Halls and Opera Houses. The team also designed Boston Symphony Orchestra’s Linde Center for Music and Learning at Tanglewood, The Music Center at Strathmore, Sonoma State University’s Joan & Sanford I. Weill Hall and more.

“This decision was made with the utmost care from our Board and marks a defining moment in the realization of our Music Center,” said Sarasota Orchestra Board Chair Tom Koski. “With William Rawn Associates as our design architect, we can now truly begin to picture what this space will look and feel like for our community.”

Driven by the design philosophy of “listening first,” the team of over 50 designers and associates focuses on designing spaces where individuals from diverse backgrounds come together to exchange ideas and share experiences. The team assigned to design Sarasota Orchestra’s Music Center includes Cliff Gayley, principal at William Rawn Associates and lead designer, Kevin Bergeron, associate principal at William Rawn Associates and project manager for the Music Center, and Douglas Johnston, principal at William Rawn Associates. 

“We are thrilled for the opportunity to design Sarasota Orchestra’s Music Center and to create a community destination that is a true reflection of the region’s cultural landscape,” said Gayley. “We also look forward to collaborating with the other project partners and building on the great work they have already begun. Through our experience on other arts projects, we have long learned the value of understanding one another and speaking together in one voice toward a common goal.”

The Search Process

The Music Center design architect 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 evaluation criteria adopted by the Board included:

1. Collaborative spirit: Evidence of successful collaboration on projects with multiple partners.
2. Aesthetic and building integrity: Demonstrated commitment to an artistic vision and structural integrity.
3. Reputation and experience: Affirmative testimony from other venue owners, consultants, and contractors.
4. Responsiveness and timeliness: Proven ability to work efficiently and meet deadlines.
5. Capacity and bandwidth: Assurance of staff tenure and availability to complete the work.
6. Designing to budget: Demonstrated ability to create innovative designs within specified budget constraints.
7. Phasing design and flexibility: Ability to design a venue that can be constructed in phases should the need arise.

Sarasota Orchestra owner’s representative Garfield Public/Private LLC worked with the board to invite design architectural firms that matched the criteria − with both expertise in acoustically excellent and architecturally significant venue designs – to submit proposals for the project. The Board also established a Building Committee that reviewed and evaluated proposals and interviewed finalists before coming to the full Board with a final recommendation.

“William Rawn Associates not only possesses the experience needed to build a best-in-class music center, but they also share our passion for advancing the arts in Sarasota,” said Joseph McKenna, President & CEO of Sarasota Orchestra. “We have complete confidence in their ability to help us realize our vision and could not be more excited to officially have them onboard.”

What’s Next

William Rawn Associates has quickly begun work since joining the project team. The architects are already advancing through the concept development phase, during which they are immersing themselves in Sarasota Orchestra’s architectural landscape, attending concerts and events, and meeting with Orchestra Board leadership, senior staff, local arts community leaders and other stakeholders. As planning progresses, input from Sarasota Orchestra musicians and music director designate, Giancarlo Guerrero, will also be vital. Guerrero was appointed Sarasota Orchestra’s music director designate in August. 

The design architect will lead the overarching direction and visual appeal planning for the Music Center during the initial design stages. Once the design has been determined, the executive architect, HKS, will then lead the Music Center’s transformation from design plans to completion, while ensuring adherence to regulatory standards and quality assurance.

To learn more about the unique design of a concert hall, watch Sarasota Orchestra’s animated explainer video, Inside the Sound, narrated by WSMR’s Classical Music Director, Russell Gant.