News
June 2024
Governor Ron DeSantis Appoints Beverly Frank, AIA to the Florida Council on Arts and Culture
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. —Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Ashley Gibson Barnett, Lauren Sarah Carpenter, Sofia Diaz, and Beverly Frank and the reappointment of Lisa Burgess, Carroll Hanley Goggin, and Frank Gromling to the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.
Frank is the Principal and Architect at BFRANK Studios, LLC. Active in her community, she is the former President and a current member of the Florida American Institute of Architects and was a member of the University of South Florida School of Architecture and Community Design Dean of Libraries Advisory Board. Frank earned her bachelor’s degree in art education and her master’s degree in architecture from the University of South Florida.
Goodwyn Mills Cawood named Engineering News-Record (ENR) Southeast 2024 Design Firm of the Year
Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC) is honored to be named the ENR Southeast 2024 Design Firm of the Year. This recognition follows a year marked by substantial growth through revenue, acquisitions, procurement of some of the firm’s largest contracts to date, and expanding the firm’s footprint, all while maintaining a high caliber of work and commitment to feeling local in the communities they serve.
Engineering News-Record (ENR), a benchmark publication for the architecture, engineering and construction industry, bestows the honor of Design Firm of the Year upon engineering and architecture firms across their ten different regions of the United States. The ENR Southeast region includes Alabama, the Carolinas, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and Puerto Rico. The publication covers top design firms, both architects and engineers, as well as projects in the United States and worldwide.
In 2023, GMC grew in revenue by more than 30% from the previous year through high-profile projects and successful collaborations. The firm acquired two design firms, Walker Concepts Architecture of Charleston, South Carolina and Commercial Site Solutions of Greenville, South Carolina and Lutz, Florida, which bolstered its expertise and expanded its footprint with an additional office in Florida.
With 25 offices in seven states throughout the Southeast along with a wide array of services and an extensive portfolio, GMC has grown to be a leading firm in the region that keeps deep roots in the communities it serves. As referenced by the publication, the firm notably exceeds in “thinking locally while succeeding regionally,” emphasizing the team’s strength of providing service at a local level through valuing relationships.
GMC’s Florida offices include Lutz, Pensacola, Sarasota and Tampa. In addition, the firm expanded its presence into Orlando earlier this year with the addition of healthcare practice leader Jack Monroe.
SOLSTICE Planning and Architecture Named AIA National Design Award Winner
Downtown Sarasota Project Recognized for Excellence in Urban and Regional Design
June 13, 2024 (Sarasota, FL) - The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has revealed the winners of its National 2024 AIA Design Awards during a prestigious gala held at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. The category of Regional & Urban Design was established to honor the best in urban design, regional and city planning, and community development. Sarasota-based architecture firm SOLSTICE Planning and Architecture was bestowed with an Honor Award for Regional and Urban Design for Rosemary Square, designed by architect Jonathan Parks AIA and project managed by Selma Göker Wilson, INT'L ASSOC. AIA, RIBA. A national AIA award is the ultimate acknowledgment of impactful, exemplary work in architecture and design. Rosemary Square was among only a handful of projects in the country to be recognized in this category, including others located in Washington, D.C.; Staten Island, NY; Chicago, IL; and Austin, TX.
“Tonight, we celebrated not only the exceptional talent within our profession but also the innovative and sustainable solutions that our award winners have delivered. This event is a testament to the incredible impact architecture has on our communities and the world,” said AIA EVP/Chief Executive Officer Lakisha Ann Woods, CAE.
“In Sarasota, Rosemary Square, which occupies a little more than an acre of land, represents our team’s vision to transform the district’s central thoroughfare into a living room for the neighborhood that finally brings the arts to Boulevard of the Arts,” explained Jonathan Parks AIA. “The collaboration between client, contractor, and architect is what makes these types of innovative projects possible, so we wanted to recognize the entire team for their insight and hard work.”
Hundreds of submissions to the AIA design awards were received from across the United States for the design awards juried by a panel of peers: Neil Kittredge, AIA, Chair;Beyer Blinder Belle, New York; Mide Akinsade, AIA,Perkins & Will, Houston; Kim Reddin, AIA,FLAD, Madison, Wis.; Sheba Ross,HKS Architects, Atlanta; and Vince Tam, AIA,HNTB, Dallas.
The award-winning regional and urban design for Rosemary Square transformed an abandoned community garden into the living room for the neighborhood, finally bringing arts to Boulevard of the Arts. Though the aspirationally named Boulevard of the Arts runs through it, Sarasota’s Rosemary District previously contained no cultural institutions, which stood at odds with the city’s designation as Florida’s “Cultural Capital.” The site for this project, which sits at the center of the district, included an abandoned community garden and boxing club that depressed surrounding property values and stood out as blemishes in the neighborhood. This project, however, has created a nexus for the arts that has reenergized the community through a mixed-use development that includes retail, restaurants, performing arts studios, and housing for artists. Tenants now include the Sarasota Ballet School, The Players Studio, and Sarasota Contemporary Dance. The Sarasota Opera houses their visiting artists within the project’s thirty apartments. There are also murals and a sculpture for the visual arts and restaurants celebrating the culinary arts, including Wolfies, Spice Station, Artisan Cheese, and Make it Swirl.
The Rosemary District, originally known as Overtown, was founded in 1885 as part of Sarasota’s original plat. It was home to a vibrant Black community until unsympathetic development practices in the 1960s pushed residents north toward Newtown. As time marched on, the area remained in downtown Sarasota’s shadow until it was officially renamed the Rosemary District in 1994 in recognition of a nearby historic cemetery. At its grand opening in 2019, Rosemary Square teamed up with the community group Newtown Alive to invite past Overtown residents and their families to commemorate the community’s rich history and bright future. That event, which one community leader Walter Gilbert noted was the “first time the Black community has ever been invited back since the 1960s,” has sparked a number of new initiatives and connections, including a series of murals charting Overtown’s history.
SOLSTICE Planning and Architecture is a planning, architecture, and interior design firm based in Sarasota, Florida. Under the direction of architect and founder Jonathan Parks, AIA, SOLSTICE and its predecessor firm have received over 130 awards in architecture, regional planning, design and historic preservation
Read the article HERE.
April 2024
Renzo Piano Building Workshop is pleased to announce the selection of Sarasota-based Sweet Sparkman Architects as Architect of Record for the new Sarasota Performing Arts Center
Sarasota, FL- In June 2023, Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation and City of Sarasota selected Renzo Piano Building Workshop (RPBW) as Design Architect for the new Sarasota Performing Arts Center. The project will be built in The Bay, Sarasota’s signature public park. After evaluating nearly thirty candidates for the role of Architect of Record, RPBWhasselected Sweet Sparkman Architects.
Based in Sarasota, Sweet Sparkman Architects has been practicing for 22 years. Their completed cultural and community projects include The Bay, Center for Asian Art at the Ringling Museum of Art, Ringling College of Art and Design: Basch Visual Arts Center, Asolo Repertory Theatre Koski Center Campus, Venice Theatre, and Siesta Key Park and Pavilion.
“We selected Sweet Sparkman not only for their proficiency and local knowledge of the construction industry, but for their spirit, and the team they put forth. We see them as our partners in this adventure, and we strongly believe their qualities, values, and experience will be key to the project’s success.”– Renzo Piano Building Workshop
About Sweet Sparkman Architecture and Interiors:
Sweet Sparkman Architecture and Interiors is a multi-disciplinary architecture and interiors firm specializing in community-oriented projects. The firm believes design excellence is achieved by carefully analyzing every parameter affecting the development of the project. This scrutiny includes financial, physical, social, and environmental factors. The firm is interested in projects, not measured by size, but by their relevance to the owner, community, and environment. Established in 2002, Principals, Todd Sweet, AIA, LEED AP; Jerry Sparkman, AIA, NCARB; John Bryant, AIA, LEED AP; and Karl Bernhard, AIA, NCARB bring a combined 100 years of experience in architecture and planning, including residential, civic, and community projects. Sweet Sparkman has 42 full time employees and has two offices in Sarasota, FL and St. Petersburg, FL. For more information, visit sweetsparkman.com.
January 2024
Dalrymple | Sallis Architecture Names New Associate Principal, Samantha Garrett
Local architecture firm promotes lead architect as first female principal in firm’s history.

PENSACOLA, FL - January 12, 2024: Dalrymple | Sallis Architecture (DSA) proudly announces the promotion of Samantha Garrett, AIA, to the position of Associate Principal. In her elevated role, Garrett will continue to act as Studio Lead and manage her team as she takes on new responsibilities in business operations and practice management.
“From her first day on the job, Samantha’s positivity has been infectious, and her commitment to bettering Pensacola and this firm is unparalleled,” says DSA Co-Owner and Principal Architect J. Scott Sallis.
DSA Co-Owner and Principal Designer E. Dean Dalrymple agrees, saying: “Samantha embodies the core values of this firm, and her strong design skills, business acumen, and positive mindset have earned her this leadership role for the future of the firm. This is a well-deserved achievement for Samantha and a significant milestone for our firm.”
In pursuit of her lifelong dream of becoming an architect (from the age of 4!), Garrett graduated from the Fay Jones School of Architecture & Design at the University of Arkansas, and studied environmental design at the University of Colorado for two additional years. She also held summer internships at HBG Design in Memphis and Portman Architects in Atlanta, the latter of whom hired her after graduation.
With some experience under her belt, Garrett sought a change in company and location, moving to Pensacola and joining DSA in 2021. She is the first woman to hold a leadership position at the company, though this is nothing new for Garrett, who says her transition from a female-majority graduating class to a male-dominated field was not without its challenges.
“I am honored by this promotion at a firm I have loved learning and growing with,” says Garrett. “I love this city and this region, and I can’t wait to see all we can accomplish together as we continue creating impactful designs that truly improve the community.”
Garrett played a pivotal role in several well-known projects, such as the renovation of the former Mount Olive Baptist Church into the current Lily Hall & Brother Fox. She also supported the launch of a new restaurant brand for Pounder’s Hawaiian Grill in Crestview, and the design of
Hatchmark Studio, WinSupply Plumbing Showroom and Warehouse, an upcoming medical spa, and numerous residential projects. Her passion for improving Pensacola, one building at a time, demonstrates her commitment to the Gulf Coast community's growth and development.
Apart from her professional accomplishments, Garrett’s dedication to community and art is evident in her personal life, including her involvement in the local arts scene and the hands-on renovation of a 100-year-old house in downtown Pensacola with friends.
About Dalrymple | Sallis Architecture
Dalrymple | Sallis Architecture is a full-service design firm that believes architecture is layered, in meaning and intent, and driven by mission and purpose. DSA operates in an open-studio environment to provide a collaborative, hands-on approach to every project. Their ability to interpret the specific vision of each client has resulted in a positive word-of-mouth reputation and large portfolio of repeat and referred customers. Learn more at www.DalSal.com.
Linnea Brudenell Joins RS&H to Lead Sustainability and Resilience Efforts
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – RS&H has hired Linnea Brudenell, AIA, LEED AP, as Vice President, National Sustainability and Resilience Director. Linnea will help lead the national engineering, architecture and consulting firm’s mission to transform the built environment to benefit people, generate prosperity and preserve our planet.
As a key member of RS&H’s Buildings Strategy team, Brudenell will work directly with senior leadership to develop strategies to integrate environmental sustainability and resilience principles across enterprise-wide building activities. She will collaborate with RS&H’s architecture, engineering and construction professionals as well as interact with sustainability and resiliency experts outside the company.
“As we strive to fulfill theArchitecture 2030 Challengeto greatly reduce emissions from the built environment, Linnea will play a pivotal role in helping ensure our focus on resiliency and sustainability drives our design,” said RS&H Chief Strategy Officer Bryan Nicol.
Brudenell comes to RS&H after serving as the director of sustainability in the private sector since 2015, where she managed sustainability and resiliency consulting for projects worth more than $500 million. She led the internal gap analysis for sustainability and resiliency planning and processes, strategic sustainability planning and policies, and created a sustainability action plan for the firm, including participation inAmerican Institute of Architect’s (AIA) 2030 Commitment.
A member of theAIA Large Firm Roundtable, RS&H has long been focused on resiliency and sustainability with an eye toward a future built environment that is carbon neutral. Working with its clients,RS&H has documented savings of more than 2 million megawatt-hours of electricity, 1.4 billion pounds of waste, and over 500 million gallons of water– resulting in millions of tons of avoided greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, RS&H designers are accredited practitioners of several sustainable design programs, including Living Future, WELL, LEED and Envision.
“I am excited to join RS&H and continue the firm’s mission to help shape the communities of today with a focus on a resilient and sustainable future,” Brudenell said. “Meeting the 2030 benchmarks is a challenge that will take the efforts of all of us, but this is a challenge we as a firm and an industry will do everything we can to achieve.”
About RS&H
Employee-owned, RS&H is one of the nation’s leading architecture, engineering and consulting firms whose associates work hard every day to create a more connected future where everyone can thrive. We offer an exceptional journey from start to future for clients in aerospace, aviation, corporate, federal, health and science, and transportation. Our integrated teams translate experience into insight, turn challenges into opportunities and build relationships that are as strong as the buildings and infrastructure we deliver together. RS&H can be reached at 1.800.741.2014 or rsandh.com.
November 2022
RG Architects, P.A. 10th Year Anniversary Party
RG Architects, P.A. hosted a 10th year anniversary party on November 10. The event also celebrated the retirement and birthday of co-founder Charlie Gutekunst. The event was held at their offices in the historic Miles Building at 2070 McGregor Boulevard in downtown Fort Myers
RG Architects, P.A. provides exceptional architecture and design services for landmark commercial, education, and community projects in Southwest Florida. RG Architects, P.A. was founded in 2012 on the idea that design impacts people's lives. People and function are at the center of everything RG Architects does.
The company is committed to:
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Providing clients with the highest service standards
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Delivering excellent design ideas and solutions
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Creating an aesthetically pleasing, functional, sustainable, and cost-effective design
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Working hard to meet each project's unique and specific needs
August 2022
Hoefer Welker Expands to Jacksonville
Kansas City-based Hoefer Welker, an architecture, planning and design firm, is expanding into Jacksonville. It will occupy a 5,600-square-foot office in Riverplace Tower.
“Our footprint in the Jacksonville area continues to expand so it only made sense that we open an office here. We’re eager to continue growing throughout the Southeast” Trevor Lee, AIA, Hoefer Welker’s Jacksonville managing partner, said in an Aug. 16 news release.
Hoefer Welker's Jacksonville projects include:
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A VA clinic at 145 Heron Bay Road, 193,500 square feet.
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Branches of the 121 Financial Credit Union.
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More than 100,000 square feet of projects for Baptist Health.
“With Florida’s increasing population — and our growing presence — Jacksonville was the natural choice for our third office,” said Mitch Hoefer, Hoefer Welker CEO and founding partner, in the release.
June 2022
Rajput, AIA, Becomes Licensed Architect
RG Architects' Sanjay Rajput, AIA, is now a licensed architect.
“Growing up, I was always interested in breaking things down to look at components. I would tear apart something electrical, like a hair dryer, and put it back together," said Rajput. "As I grew older, I became intrigued with how the components of a building come together. I am passionate about the creativity of architecture and its impact on our lives. We are creating a lifestyle and community."
Rajput has been with RGA since 2019. His project management experience includes the Heights Education Building, the Bay Beach Commons, a multi-family building for the Presbyterian Homes & Housing Foundation, the renovation of Times Square Park on Fort Myers Beach and the renovation of the Fort Myers Technical College.
Halflants+Pichette Grows Tampa Practice
Tara Williams, AIA; Morgan Denty; Dan Greenberg; Buffy Stachorowski; Zack Sladden; Ana Meneses and Sofia Torres have joined the Halflants+Pichette team in 2022.
Williams is an architect with more than 12 years of experience in commercial, office, retail, renovations and corporate interiors. She earned a Bachelor's of Architecture at the University of Florida and a Master's of Architecture from the Georgia Institute of Technology. For the past five years, she's been the project architect at the St. Pete Pier. At Halflants+Pichette, she will be the Tampa studio director.
Denty, the office manager, has worked in the architecture industry for 12 years and attended Georgia State University for business administration and marketing. She enjoys being part of a creative team that designs projects to enrich the community.
Project architect Greenberg returns to Halflants+Pichette from positions at ASD|SKY and Alfonso Architects. He is a graduate of the University of South Florida School of Architecture.
Stachorowski will serve as lead project manager in the Tampa office. She has experience managing large-scale projects with team members including project architects and designers, interior designers and landscape architects.
Project manager Sladden studied sculpture and graphic design at the Savannah College of Art and Design and has a Master's in Architecture from the University of South Florida. He has worked with firms in Boston and Cologne. Meneses, also a project manager, is a native of Colombia who moved to the United States in 2010. She has a Master's Degree in Architecture and pursued a master's in urban and community design.
Torres, design associate, is in her third year of a four-year Master's of Architecture program at the University of South Florida. She's a native of Puerto Rico.
May 2022
Halff Expands Practice to Florida
Halff Associates hired Robert Smedley, AIA, and Marjorie Weibe-Reed, AIA, to expand the company's presence in Florida. Smedley and Weibe-Reed will be based in Jacksonville, advancing the firm's portfolio in federal, state, and local government and private industries.
Smedley has nearly 40 years of experience in both the public and private sector, working in the aerospace, aviation, federal, health care, military, and science and technology industries. He is a certified member of the Design-Build Institute of American and serves on national and Florida region committees. He is a graduate of The Catholic University of America.
Weibe-Reed, an AIA Florida board member, has more than 25 years of experience working on aviation, commercial, government, historic and institutional projects. She previously served as president of AIA Jacksonville and is a graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design.
Halff is an award-winning, employee-owned professional engineering and architecture firm. It has offices in Arkansas, Florida, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Texas.
April 2022
Personnel Moves at REG
REG Architects marked its 34th anniversary April 1 with some personnel moves.
Manuel Ayala, AIA, was named vice president. He replaced the retiring Colin Price. Ayala has been with REG for more than a decade and has more than 25 years of experience. Among his most important projects are the historic Lake Worth Beach Casino and several projects for the Palm Beach and Marin County school districts.
REG also welcomed Ricardo E. Gonzalez III, son of Rick Gonzalez, AIA, to the firm as the head of marketing and business development. A graduate of Florida Atlantic University, the younger Gonzalez previously worked in public insurance adjusting.
Arquitectonica Expands to West Palm Beach
Arquitectonica opened a new office in Rosemary Square in West Palm Beach.
"We have long had a presence in the region thanks to strong client relationships and high-profile projects," said Timothy Reedy, Arquitectonica's CEO. "We see tremendous opportunities for growth in the region and are excited about the prospects this new office will provide for our clients and our firm. Our clients want an architecture firm that has a local presence backed by global expertise, and our expansion into West Palm Beach is a natural step to better serve our clients in the region."
The new office will be led by Vice President Michelle Cintron, AIA.
"Over the past several years, we have experienced a steady increase in clients within the market and are confident that this location will advantageously position the firm to extend our service offerings and continue to build upon our strong foundation in Florida."
Arquitectonica has more than 600 employees across an international network of offices.
March 2022
Hagopian Named to Design Review Board
Jason Hagopian, AIA, president and founder of Neuvio Architects was reappointed recently to the Design Review Board in Miami Beach. That board ensures that new development in the city meets the highest standards of design and sustainability.
January 2022
Peacock + Lewis, JBD JGA Design Join Forces
Peacock + Lewis Architecture and Interior Design and JBD JGA Design and Architecture formed a new private club-focused professional services network, ClubWorks.
"Both Peacock + Lewis and JBD JGA have long been design leaders in the private club industry. This exciting relationship will not only support each companies' individualism and identity but enhance the ability to provide even better service and a higher level of creativity to a wider geographic market," Peacock + Lewis CEO Brian Idle, AIA, said. "With our combined 100 yeas of club amenity design experience, the club and hospitality industry will be the beneficiary of this new partnership."
ClubWorks will be the "go-to" for clubhouse design, JBD founder Judd Brown says. The network will provide design services to private clubs around the U.S.
December 2021
Davenport Named to Capital City Bank Group Board
Bonnie Davenport, AIA, president and founding principal of BKJ Inc., was named to the Capital City Bank Group board of directors on Dec. 14.
She is a certified general contractor with NCARB certification. Davenport is a member of the Maclay School Board of Trustees and of the Urban Land Institute-Capital Region. She is a graduate of Leadership Tallahassee Class 28, Entrepreneurial Excellence Program Class 3 and the Jim Moran Small Business Entrepreneurship Class 5. She is a double graduate of the University of Florida.
Capital City Bank Group is one of the largest publicly traded financial holding companies headquartered in Florida with about $4 billion in assets. It provides a full range of banking services. Capital City Bank, the group's bank subsidiary, was founded in 1895 and has 57 banking offices in Florida, Georgia and Alabama.
November 2021
Woodury Named Chairman/CEO of Universal Parks & Resorts
Mark Woodbury, AIA, a theme park architect with Universal Parks and Resorts, was named chairman and CEO of the company effective Jan. 1.
Formerly the vice chairman of Universal Parks and Resorts and president of Universal Creative, Woodbury will take over for Tom Williams, who will retire March 16. Woodbury has been with Universal for more than 30 years. He has lead planning and design strategy for Universal Parks & Resorts worldwide, design and creation of Universal ride experiences, themed lands, destination hotels and more. His latest project was Universal Studios Beijing.
“Mark has unique and essential insight into everything that makes Universal Parks & Resorts successful,” said Jeff Shell, chief executive officer of NBCUniversal. “Beyond his ability to create incredibly innovative guest experiences, he has tremendous experience with strategy, financials, stewardship of the Universal Parks brand and so much more. He has also been a key part of planning for the future of Universal Parks & Resorts. All this makes him perfect for this role.”
October 2021
Peacock+Lewis Announces New Director
Naples, Florida — Peacock + Lewis, a leading architecture and interior design company servicing the private club and hospitality markets welcomes licensed interior designer Patricia Sampson as the director of client initiatives for the firm.
Sampson comes to Peacock +Lewis with more than 25 years of nationwide experience designing award-winning private clubs, luxury residences and hospitality projects. Sampson will manage business development and client relationships firm-wide. Additionally, in the Naples office, Sampson will be in charge of servicing the interior design and purchasing needs of private clubs regionally. Sampson holds a BA from the University of Virginia as well as an interior design degree from Seminole State College of Florida. She is a professional member of the American Society of Interior Designers and the Urban Land Institute, and is NCIDQ certified. Nationally and as a resident of Southwest Florida, Sampson has developed long-standing relationships with manufacturers, suppliers and industry leaders servicing private clubs and hospitality projects.
Peacock + Lewis, based in North Palm Beach and Naples, recently won multiple design excellence awards from the American Society of Interior Designers and design and honor awards from the American Institute of Architects. Peacock + Lewis has been providing award-winning architecture and interior design services for private clubs, residential golf course communities and the hospitality industry since 1961. For information, visit peacockandlewis.com.
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