The upstairs walkway at Sarasota High School's Building 4, designed by noted architect Paul Rudolph in 1958. The "inside-outside" nature of the building, which allows for natural ventilation, is critical to the landmark's historical and architectural value, say members of the Sarasota Architectural Foundation. But the Sarasota school system plans to "gut" the building, says SAF President Janet Minker, keeping only the outer shell. Staff photo / Harold Bubil; 1-4-2013.
Members of the Sarasota Architectural Foundation have written letters to the Sarasota County School Board's elected officials to express their opinions regarding the proposed renovation plans for Sarasota High School's Building No. 4, designed in 1958 by Paul Rudolph. A sampling:
"Good afternoon,
"We are extremely concerned with the current construction plans for Sarasota High School’s Paul Rudolph Addition, specifically, the demolition of Building no. 4’s common areas. This will forever alter iconic architect Rudolph’s last remaining public building in Florida.
"Responsible local governments all across the country are going out of their way to protect significantly historical homes, buildings and landmarks. Sarasota should be one of them.
"We bought a home on Siesta Key almost 8 years ago. In addition to the beaches and cultural attractions, we deeply appreciate the strong Sarasota Modern Architectural heritage of the area. Paul Rudolph is an icon in the field. His work, which began here, is recognized internationally.
"As stewards of this unique, historic structure, you have the responsibility to honor the School Board’s stipulation to appropriately rehabilitate the Rudolph Addition. Please direct your architects to redesign the common areas of Building No. 4 with proper respect for the entire structure. Specifically, the demolition of the common areas; the loss of the floating walkway, linear light wells, steel door frames and other character-defining elements.
"As we so often painfully learn, you don't know what you've got till it's gone!"
-- Michael Bille and Lois Greenbaum, Siesta Key
"Honorable Board Members and Executives,
"As you know, Sarasota is internationally renowned as the birthplace of the Sarasota School of architecture. Paul Rudolph was the key figure among the original founders. The remaining iconic structures are invaluable for architectural students, historical/architectural tourists, historians, architects and devotees, such as myself, who cherish historic preservation in general and historic architectural preservation in particular. The city's remaining structures are also invaluable for international tourism for many people who are interested in seeing these structures in their unaltered, original form. Otherwise, the intent of the architect is debased by modern alteration.
"Harvard Jolly is an established, reputable firm that has the capability and sensitivity to best preserve the original intent of Paul Rudolph while addressing the modern requirements of the school. I would enthusiastically encourage all of you to request that they revisit the proposal to eradicate Building No. 4's original common areas and replace them with a plan that includes Rudolph's character-defining elements that he was famous for. The floating walkway, steel door frames, linear light wells and other elements are key to understanding this artist.
"You all are to be applauded for your past vision in other preservation efforts at the school. Please remain good stewards of history to appropriately rehabilitate this irreplaceable treasure for present and future generations."
-- Bill Stokes, St. Petersburg
"Dear Madame Chair and Members of the Sarasota County School Board,
"As an undergraduate, I attended the Catholic University School of Engineering and Architecture.
"CUA's architectural education program was modelled after the École des Beaux Arts design curriculum in Paris, as opposed to the Bauhaus school that equally influenced the architecture program at Harvard. Two of my professors had attended the Yale School of Architecture, one of America's leading Beaux Arts curriculum.
"When I recently visited my alma mater to participate in an anniversary event, I encountered both of my Yale-educated professors, who had each also worked for their professor and dean, Paul Rudolph, in their early careers.
"At the event, I told my professors that I had relocated to Sarasota. Their response: "What a shame that they demolished Riverside (sic) High School."
"In that response, you may understand the term "they" to refer to you. I urge you not to repeat (indeed compound) the previous mistakes of the School Board regarding Sarasota's most identifiable and architecturally significant historic resources.
" The first award that I received in my professional career was for Historic Preservation, a field that was a subspecialty in my early years in the practice of architecture. In my career, I also specialized in the design of educational buildings for a firm designing schools for over 60 years, in Washington, D.C., and in over a dozen counties in Maryland.
"Coming to Sarasota in 2008, I was shocked at the lack of a meaningful historic preservation presence here, even though Sarasota is home to one of the country's finest examples of regional American modern architecture, and in a relatively coherent and readily identifiable collection of prime examples.
"Perhaps THE finest example of a masterwork of the Sarasota School of architecture is Paul Rudolph's Sarasota High School Addition. In my professional view, it is sadly ironic that the Sarasota School Board is celebrating neither the Sarasota School of architecture nor it's star Sarasota High School Addition in the current plans for the renovation of the Rudolph-designed buildings.
"It is my view that the Sarasota School Board is seriously misdirecting Harvard Jolly Architects in what amounts to an example of forced professional malpractice. It should be noted that Harvard Jolly Architects provides almost no examples of modernism within the firm's portfolio of educational buildings.
"In that the Sarasota school board, unlike other historically significant boards of the past, does not display a sufficient understanding of architecture or preservation as it relates to the process underway at Sarasota High School, here is a simple definition of what I believe to be your best guiding principle:
" Treat all areas of Rudolph's Sarasota High School Addition that are not currently defined as "conditioned space" (i.e. spaces that are served by air conditioning) as spaces (including surfaces, materials and details) to be preserved in or restored to original design condition.
"This simple guideline will allow all interior conditioned spaces to be altered to fit programmatic needs, or direct that programmatic requirements are situated within new structures elsewhere in the campus.
"What do we teach, if not a respect for history and historic achievement? What are our students to understand of their career potential, if our example is to subjectively erase or deform the most important legacy of our finest professionals?
"I urge the Sarasota School Board to re-think the Paul Rudolph Addition to Sarasota High School as a restoration and preservation project, and to re-think additional programmatic requirements within that context. Free your architects to design separate structures that will serve as a standard for today."
-- Shawn Glen Pierson, Sarasota
"To whom it may concern,
"As a retired architect and a current instructor who is planning on moving to the Sarasota area in the near future, I am very concerned with the current construction plans for Sarasota High School’s Paul Rudolph Addition. Now is the time to do the right thing."
-- Rafik Accad, architectural design instructor, Lyman High School, Longwood
