Elevated Safety
on Siesta Key
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Sarasota County Fire Station #13 reimagines the county's established fire station design to harmonize with its beachside Siesta Key location. Using a 10,500-square-foot, two-story plan derived from Fire Stations #12 and #14, the building incorporates materials and colors that reflect its coastal surroundings. Bright quartz sand-inspired grays and whites replace the wood façades of its mainland counterparts, while bricks from the original station honor its historical palette. The station features drive-through apparatus bays for a fire truck, EMS vehicle, and beach ATV, with crew quarters, a kitchen, recreation spaces, and a screened patio on the second floor.
Elevated 13 feet above the floodplain and engineered to withstand Category 4 hurricanes, Fire Station #13 prioritizes resilience and sustainability. Its compact footprint and eco-conscious design aim to achieve LEED certification, ensuring long-term performance. By blending durability, functionality, and aesthetic harmony, the station serves as a vital community asset for both emergency response and coastal living.
Sarasota County
Project information
Siesta Key, FL
10,180 SF
Completed in 2021
client/owner
location
size
Status
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.
Shirley Quinlan, NCIDQ
Originally from the Netherlands, Shirley Quinlan joined Sweet Sparkman Architects from New York City, where she worked on both large- and small-scale projects from 2011-2017. In New York City, her experience centered on the workplace and working with commercial building owners and developers to enhance the value of their properties. Shirley received her BFA in Interior Design from the famed New York Fashion Institute of Technology. As Sweet Sparkman Architects' Commercial Interior Designer, Shirley collaborates with all of the project managers and architects at the firm. A spirited, receptive, and innovative designer with extensive experience, she provides well-rounded interiors to all projects, including fire stations, K-12 schools, university campuses, and cultural projects.
Shirley spends her free time with her beautiful daughters and husband. She loves drawing and crafting with her girls. Besides design, her interests are traveling, outdoor activities like rafting, climbing, and zip-lining, or merely relaxing with a good book.
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