Redefining Coastal Renovation
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Gulf Gardens began as a 1970s wood-frame structure with a southern addition from the 1980s. The home was non-conforming with the FEMA-required elevation level and, thus, would be subject to the 50% rule for renovations. This rule dictates how much money an owner can spend on a renovation in the State of Florida, limiting spending to 50% of the structure’s estimated value. Located seaward of the Coastal Construction Control Line (CCCL), the existing structure was closer to the ocean than where new construction is allowed, making a renovation the only way to retain the closer proximity to the ocean. The owner ultimately decided on a hybrid solution: renovating the existing structure and building a new elevated living area behind the CCCL. The rooftop deck and elevated pool were created to connect the new and existing structures, pushing the limits of what a renovation can truly be.
client/owner
Private Client
Project information
location
Longboat Key, FL
size
4,780 SF
Status
Completed in 2023
FOUNDER
Jerry Sparkman, AIA, NCARB
Jerry Sparkman, a founding principal of Sweet Sparkman Architecture & Interiors, has been crafting resilient, thoughtful designs since the firm's inception in 2002. His work reflects a deep understanding of the coastal environment, emphasizing the integration of local culture, history, and long-term community growth. Jerry’s design philosophy—“respect the land and the people, and the rest will follow”—is exemplified in projects like The Bay Park in Sarasota, where he has merged innovative design with environmental stewardship to create vibrant public spaces. His portfolio spans high-end residential projects, public parks, higher education facilities, and community spaces, all shaped by active listening and a meticulous approach to financial, physical, social, and environmental factors. With a belief that nature provides unlimited inspiration, Jerry continues to create spaces that harmonize with their surroundings while meeting the needs of diverse communities.
Carlos Flórez, Associate AIA
Born and raised in Bogotá, Carlos Flórez earned his Bachelor of Architecture degree from the National University of Colombia and gained his initial professional experience working in residential and commercial projects. During the last 14 years, Carlos has been working in Sarasota on numerous commercial projects, including the addition and renovation of the Florida Studio Theatre, several residential projects from single-family homes to condominiums, and the improvement throughout the state of multiple facilities of the Florida Department of Health.
Carlos enjoys movies, history, traveling, and swimming. He loves spending time at home with his wife and their two daughters.
Hannah Boehmer, AIA
Hannah, originally from Cocoa Beach, graduated in May 2014 with a Master of Architecture from the University of South Florida and has been a licensed architect since 2019. She has worked on projects in both the residential and public spectrum of the office and has a fondness for working with existing structures, bringing clarity and renewed purpose to otherwise unconsidered spaces.
In 2019, her graduate thesis exploring how contemporary design can integrate with Florida vernacular won an AIA Florida Theoretical and Research Design Merit Award. In 2021, Hannah secured the first runner-up finish in the Center for Architecture's Tiny House Competition. In addition to obsessively observing the play of shadow and light in daily spaces, she is also a member of the Junior League of Sarasota, an avid reader, and an espresso enthusiast.
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