Architect Joe Farrell, who started his career in Sarasota but has spent most of it in Hawaii, stands for a portrait in front of photos of his work in Honolulu. Farrell gave a lecture on his work at the "Scott Building," on South Orange Avenue at Morrill Street in Sarasota, which he designed with Bill Rupp in 1960. The Center for Architecture Sarasota is renovating the building; part of it will be used by the University of Florida's architecture school for its CityLab-Sarasota master's degree program. Staff photo / Harold Bubil; 3-17-2014.
Architect Joe Farrell, one of the "Sarasota school" of midcentury modernists, is visiting Sarasota from Hawaii, where he has lived and worked since leaving Sarasota in 1961.
Farrell grew up in Sarasota, attended Sarasota High School and the University of Florida, and then came home to start his career. He designed a few houses, including the glass-and-wood art studio/home of the Uhr Family, and, with Bill Rupp, the Scott Building for the Barkus Furniture Co. and Caladesi State Bank in Dunedin.
Farrell then moved to the 50th state, where he has designed substantial government and high-rise residential buildings.
The Scott Building was built as a furniture story for Barkus Furniture in 1960. Designed by Joe Farrell and Bill Rupp, it is being renovated for use by the Center for Architecture Sarasota and the University of Florida's CityLab Sarasota.
Earlier today, Farrell gave a lecture to members of the Center for Architecture Sarasota at the Scott Building, which CFAS is renovating for its use as a gallery and lecture space. The University of Florida's architecture school will share the building and offer a master's degree in architecture there through its CityLab-Sarasota program, which begins in August.
"I have always been attracted to significant architectural beauty," he said. "I do like Frank Lloyd Wright's work and I.M. Pei's work and Mies van der Rohe. Those are all different."
Architect Joe Farrell designed this imposing Brutalist residence for himself near Diamondhead Mountain in Hawaii and later sold it. Courtesy.
But his main influence was none other than Paul Rudolph, whom Farrell described as an "incredibly gifted architect."
In fact, Farrell's career is similar to the late Rudolph's in that they both started with modest Florida beach homes and graduated to Brutalist institutional buildings and residential high-rises.
Farrell even has done a few Mediterranean revival buildings, and counts 1920s boomtime architect Addison Mizner as an inspirational figure.
He said he occasionally does a "one-off" work with a traditional design language, such as government buildings in Honolulu or the Republic of Palau, and then returns to modernism.
"I call myself a pluralist," he said. "You have to call yourself something."
Said CFAS co-founder Cindy Peterson, "We had such a great visit with him and learned so much about the building's history and its importance in Joe's career."
ON THE COVER:
Architect Joe Farrell, who started his career in Sarasota but has spent most of it in Hawaii, lectures to members of the Center for Architecture Sarasota at its headquarters building on South Orange Avenue at Morrill Street. The CFAS is renovating the building; part of it will be used by the University of Florida's architecture school for its CityLab-Sarasota master's degree program. From left, architect Clifford Scholz, interior designer Susan Hritz Scholz, Adelaide Farrell, CFAS founder Cynthia Peterson, CFAS board member Sandy Motto, CFAS board member Renee Glendinning, and Joe Farrell. Staff photo / Harold Bubil; 3-17-2014.
