William Rawn Associates (WRA) has released the first schematic design renderings for the Sarasota Orchestra's future Music Center, providing residents of Sarasota, Florida, with their initial glimpse inside the ambitious 32-acre cultural campus planned for Fruitville Road. The comprehensive schematic package showcases the interiors of both the purpose-built concert hall and the new Education Center, along with an updated exterior perspective that refines the building's overall massing and landscape strategy developed by OJB Landscape Architecture.
The music center, designed by WRA with HKS serving as executive architect, has been conceived as a transformative anchor for Sarasota. The project aims to elevate the Orchestra's performance capabilities while significantly expanding its capacity to serve students, families, and the broader community. "These schematic designs bring our Music Center vision into sharper focus," said Joseph McKenna, president and CEO of the Sarasota Orchestra. "They're the product of careful work by our expert architects, acousticians, and project team to create a welcoming place for the community to experience the joy of live music."
According to the newly released renderings, the concert hall will feature a warm palette of wood throughout its interior. Stages Consultants collaborated closely with the architecture team to refine the classic shoebox geometry, incorporating curved balcony fronts, sculpted acoustic surfaces, and clear sightlines throughout the performance space. The design includes a broad cross aisle and clear, intuitive pathways that will make the venue easy to navigate, reflecting modern accessibility standards and ensuring all patrons can comfortably enjoy performances.
The Education Center is designed with a flexible, contemporary interior that maximizes functionality and visual connection. High ceilings, acoustically tuned rehearsal rooms, and a series of glazed studios will make musical activity visible throughout the building, creating an engaging environment for learning and practice. The Center will provide dedicated support for the Sarasota Youth Orchestras, the annual Sarasota Music Festival, and an expanded suite of teaching programs. Additionally, it will house music libraries specifically designed to archive the Orchestra's historic collections, preserving decades of musical heritage.
The exterior rendering positions these interior spaces within a broader public campus that will be thoughtfully shaped by native landscapes and water elements. While the building's long horizontal roof plane, featured in early concept art, remains a defining architectural gesture, it now sits within a more articulated arrangement of courtyards, shaded walkways, and meadows. Approximately 12 acres of preserved wetlands and water features will soften the site's appearance and help orient visitors as they explore the campus. Outdoor rooms are strategically positioned to host festivals, intermission gatherings, and various community events throughout the year.
"From arrival to exit, the Music Center will create a welcoming, comfortable and uniquely memorable experience, whether you're taking a stroll through the parks, dropping your child off at a youth orchestra or sitting in the new hall," said Doug Johnston, principal at William Rawn Associates. This comprehensive approach to design ensures that the facility serves multiple functions while maintaining its primary mission as a world-class performance venue.
The release of these schematic designs comes during a year of significant momentum for the project, bolstered by substantial philanthropic support including a $60 million anonymous gift and an additional $10 million contribution from Jack and Priscilla Schlegel. This financial backing has enabled the Orchestra to move forward confidently with their most ambitious project to date. The city of Sarasota has recently experienced a broad wave of cultural investment, with last year's unveiling of conceptual designs by Renzo Piano Building Workshop and Sweet Sparkman for a new waterfront Performing Arts Center at The Bay Park.
For the Sarasota Orchestra, which was founded in 1949 as the Florida West Coast Symphony and now holds the distinction of being the oldest continuing orchestra in Florida, the forthcoming Music Center represents the most significant capital investment in its 75-year history. The project symbolizes not only the organization's growth and evolution but also Sarasota's commitment to establishing itself as a premier destination for cultural experiences in Florida.
