A Modern Facility with Historic Roots
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Sarasota County Fire Station No. 8 replaced a temporary facility with a modern campus designed to meet the functional needs of first responders while honoring the community’s history. The main station includes four garage bays for fire apparatus and rescue vehicles, gear storage, and living quarters accommodating 14 personnel. Thoughtfully designed communal spaces include a kitchen, dining area, lounge, and exercise room to provide comfort during long shifts. The adjacent Special Operations Building supports hazardous rescues and emergencies with specialized vehicle storage and an air-conditioned workspace for equipment servicing.
The design emphasizes durability and resilience, with the entire facility built to withstand Category 4 hurricanes. A 24-foot aluminum training tower provides opportunities for stairwell rescue and rappelling drills, enhancing firefighter preparedness. Low-maintenance materials and sustainable design principles, such as green building elements, ensure long-term efficiency and operational functionality.
Reflecting the site’s history as part of Sarasota’s celery fields, the design incorporates textured limestone cladding, paying homage to the area’s agricultural roots while establishing a contemporary aesthetic. Sweet Sparkman Architecture & Interiors balanced practicality and symbolism, creating a facility that serves as a vital community resource while offering first responders a resilient and welcoming space to support their critical work.
Sarasota County
Project information
Sarasota, FL
20,760 SF
Completed in 2020
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.
Education: Roger Williams University, B.Arch, 1991 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 1985
Registrations: Registered Architect FL AR-0015832U.S. Green Building Council LEED Professional Accreditation, 2007 American Institute of Architects Member, Gulf Coast Chapter Past President 2002 Institute of Architects Member, Gulf Coast Chapter Past President 2005
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.
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.
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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