Reimagining the Heart of Campus
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RePei is a play on words and an acronym for a transformative concept (Repurpose, Reenergize, and Reimagine) to the Pei Dormitories at New College’s East Campus. This project transcends physical renovation, aiming to rekindle the original spirit and purpose of the iconic Pei Dormitories. Honoring their historical significance while adapting them to contemporary needs, RePei reflects New College's dynamic spirit by creating a vibrant hub of student life. Through innovative design and a commitment to community, the project revitalizes these spaces to support the evolving demands of the campus.
Central to the vision of RePei is respect for the original architectural intent, which emphasized introspection and communal interaction through shared gathering spaces and the iconic palm court. This legacy is preserved and enhanced with new energy and adaptability, ensuring the dormitories remain a cornerstone of campus life. Integrated into a master plan that focuses on athletics, wellness, and student life, the Pei Dormitories are set to play a vital role in the rejuvenation of East Campus. By balancing preservation with innovation, the project ensures these spaces meet the diverse needs of today’s students while maintaining their architectural heritage.
A focal point of the renewal is the transformation of the palm court, reimagined with a dynamic superstructure that redefines the space. This central venue will become a lively hub for events such as music festivals, sporting activities, and student gatherings, further energizing campus life. The revitalized Pei Dormitories are designed to be more than living spaces—they will serve as a living, breathing part of New College’s future, fostering connection, creativity, and community engagement. RePei represents a bold redefinition of a cherished campus icon.
client/owner
New College of Florida
Project information
location
Sarasota, FL
size
110 Acres
Status
Design Competition
FOUNDER
Todd Sweet, AIA, LEED AP
The founder of Sweet Sparkman, Todd was born and raised in the Northeast, where he received his Bachelor of Architecture degree from Roger Williams University. Todd spent his internship at Arquitectonica in Miami, Florida, where he worked on projects throughout Europe, South America, and the United States. In 2002, Todd started the firm TOTeMS Architecture (the original firm name). In 2004, he partnered with Jerry Sparkman to form Sweet Sparkman Architects. The firm has built a national reputation for design excellence and has been asked to participate in La Venice Biennale, a bi-annual architecture exhibit in Venice, Italy. In his 20 years of practice, Todd has enjoyed the study of simple building volumes and the exploitation of materials in an unconventional fashion. Municipal planning and architecture are Todd's award-winning specialty.
Karl Bernhard, AIA
Originally from New Orleans, Karl Bernhard was shaped by the city’s rich architectural heritage and its delicate balance with the surrounding swamplands. His early fascination with the interplay between built environments and nature led him to a career in architecture, with a strong focus on resilient and impactful design.
Now based in Sarasota, Karl applies his expertise to creating spaces that evoke emotion, inspire creativity, and enhance well-being. Passionate about mentorship, he actively contributes to the architectural community through the American Institute of Architects (AIA). Outside of his professional life, Karl is a dedicated father and husband, finding balance through martial arts, long-distance inline skating, and exploring the natural world—pursuits that continue to inform his creative approach to design.
Lissette Callejas, CPSM
Lissette holds a Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design from the Ringling College of Art + Design. Over the years, she has gravitated towards the business and marketing side of the architecture and design industry. Lissette ran her own interiors business for seven years and has brought that experience to Sweet Sparkman Architects. She now serves as the Marketing Manager.
Originally from Puerto Rico, Lissette grew up in Pennsylvania and moved to Sarasota in 2007 to pursue her education at Ringling College. She quickly fell in love with the vibrant arts culture and architectural history of Sarasota. With the perfect weather and pristine beaches Sarasota offered, she decided to move permanently.
Besides architecture and design, her interests are socializing, cooking, boating, traveling, and cars. Above all, she loves spending time with two children, husband, and her two long-haired dachshunds, Marco and Polo. She believes in the power of a delicious meal and a good bottle of wine to bring people together.
Li Si
Li Si is a project designer with a Master's degree from the University of Florida. Originally from China, she currently works at Sweet Sparkman Architecture and Interiors, seeking to expand her expertise in residential and public projects. She's particularly passionate about design and the creation of immersive architectural experiences.
Inspired by mid-century modernism and traditional Asian architecture, her style is self-described as "more is more." She draws influence from architects like Victor Lundy, Carlo Scarpa, Tadao Ando, and Antoni Gaudi. Li Si also enjoys hobbies like watercolor, oil painting, photography, and collecting mid-century modern furniture, which provide a unique perspective in her work.
Owen McCormick, Associate AIA
As an outdoorsman, Owen appreciates the biodiversity of Florida. Originally from Birmingham, Alabama, he earned his bachelor’s degree at Auburn University. While a third year, he worked at the school’s acclaimed Rural Studio, an off-campus design-build program that gives architecture students a more hands-on educational experience within a small community in south Alabama.
Taking advantage of the Florida weather to hike, bicycle, and do a little “amateur birdwatching,” he also enjoys his time on the job, using his knack for mathematics to execute project design across the range of Sweet Sparkman residential, commercial, and public architectural work.
Cole Mears, Associate AIA
Cole is a Florida native. He was born and raised in Orlando and graduated from the University of South Florida with a Master's degree in Architecture. His interests involving architecture are broad and varied, but he particularly enjoys focusing on how architecture communicates. He believes that exploring connections between architecture and other art forms is a valuable way of expanding the way he thinks and creates. Cole is applying his creativity to Sweet Sparkman Architects' public work, including Fire Stations.
Juan Ocaña, Associate AIA
Juan Ocaña grew up on the east coast of Florida, where he studied music and art, and was always intrigued by taking things apart and figuring out how to put them back together again. This led to his interest in design and architecture, as well as a talent for becoming fluent with various building and design technology. He seeks to blend nature, history, and innovation into his work by pushing the limits of what is possible. He has had the opportunity to collaborate on sports, aviation, healthcare, government and residential projects. He enjoys creating visual graphics to communicate ideas with the client, as well as coordinating construction drawings and details to help deliver the client's vision to reality. Juan is currently enrolled part-time at the Academy of Art University in pursuit of his Bachelor's of Architecture. He enjoys taking road trips to explore new territory with his wife and two dogs.
Daniel Mertke
With a background in structural engineering and a passion for design, Dani sees architecture as the perfect blend of technology and creativity. Originally from Germany, he values how structure shapes space and focuses on creating timeless, human-centered designs that frame views, guide movement, and foster interaction.
Inspired by architects like Mies van der Rohe and Fran Silvestre, Dani embraces architecture’s connection to natural elements like light, air, and gravity. His award-winning thesis, living.lofts, reimagined a Zurich building into flexible living spaces and was featured in an architectural magazine. Outside of work, he resets his creative mindset through exercise and soccer, bringing fresh energy to his design process.
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