The Sarasota Orchestra has been making plans for a new Music Center for about a decade—working behind the scenes to create designs, seek donors, and build support. Now they’re taking their show on the road, presenting to audiences around town updates on their progress.
Case in point: Thursday’s event at Architecture Sarasota’s McCulloch Pavilion, in the organization’s “Future Landmarks” series. That venue makes sense, as the plans for the new center are very much in keeping with Sarasota School of Architecture principles, which Architecture Sarasota celebrates.
On hand to offer insights into the center’s progress were Sarasota Orchestra president and CEO Joe McKenna, music director Giancarlo Guerrero, Cultural Strategic Partners principal Matt Edwards, and William Rawn Associates principal Cliff Gayley. William Rawn are the architects for the estimated $325 million to $475 million project, with help from HKS architectural firm and OJB landscape design firm.
But while looks in design are important, one thing McKenna stressed to the audience was that acousticians were the first hires by the orchestra. Stages Consultants were brought in early to make sure the center’s acoustic designs fulfilled the orchestral needs not met by the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, where the full orchestra currently performs many of its concerts. Also crucial to the early planning: resilience and mitigation, in light of flooding and storm impact along our coastline from Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024. The current design for the new center elevates the buildings to 26 feet above sea level, well above requirements, and offers various ponds for flood mitigation as well…