DESIGNING OUR WEST COAST OF FLORIDA’S FINEST STRUCTURES
November 2017
Competition coordinated by Madeline Crotts
SRQ Magazine proudly presents Building of the Year, a competition celebrating the new commercial, mixed-used and public buildings, enhancing the skyline along the Gulf Coast. Judged on design concept, function and usage, integrity of design, creativity and features, we recognize the stunning structures that garnered this year’s top awards.
Gold
RINGLING COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN ALFRED R. GOLDSTEIN LIBRARY
Willis A. Smith Construction, Inc.
The Ringling College of Art and Design’s Alfred R. Goldstein Library creates a vibrant focus for learning at the heart of its expanding campus. An important goal for the trustees at the outset of the planning process was to create a facility that was transformative, enhanced Ringling College’s reputation as a preeminent school of art and design and set a new direction for future campus design. Open and transparent, the library’s ground floor is a hub of activity, revealing the life within. Internally, the building is organized by layers of activity, progressing from most active to quietest, as users move from ground floor to upper floors and along the east to west axis from campus edge to bayou. A series of outdoor terraces on the upper floors offer views and vantage points of the campus, providing sources of inspiration and different perspectives. The striking new building sits on the edge of Whitaker Bayou and its iconic form embodies Ringling College’s creative community. This milestone project allows the school’s entire 75,000-piece collection to be housed on-site, with space to grow. A series of group collaboration spaces, maker space, project space, a print room, learning commons with public computers, a video game design room and a café are all features found in the building. Designed to allow visitors to easily flow from interior to exterior, the ground floor flows directly out to the panoramic terrace. An open staircase weaves through the library’s center, providing a visual and physical sculptural connection between floors and programs, with its black form a stunning contrast to the light and colorful interior color palette of the library. Filled with furniture chosen by the students themselves at a furniture fair hosted by the design team, the Goldstein Library embodies creativity and discovery.
Architect: Shepley Bulfinch; Associate Architect: Sweet Sparkman Architects; Interior Design: Shepley Bulfinch; Contractor; Willis A. Smith Construction, Inc.; Structural Engineer: Simpson Gumpertz and Heger, Inc.; Landscape Architect: DWJA Landscape Architect; Carpets/Flooring: Aldrich Flooring, Inc.; Photographer: Kevin Gerhart Photography.
