Sustainable Shade for The Bay park
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Designed by Sweet Sparkman in collaboration with project lead Agency Landscape + Planning, The Nest at The Bay Park is a signature shade structure and public gathering space located within a transformative 53-acre redevelopment of Sarasota’s bayfront. Designed to strengthen community connection to the waterfront, The Nest is both an architectural focal point and a symbol of the park’s broader mission—integrating nature, culture, and community.
Part of a larger master plan developed by Sasaki and Agency Landscape + Planning, through an extensive five-year public engagement process, The Bay Park transforms a former parking lot and underutilized civic land into a vibrant, inclusive destination. The plan’s six guiding principles—aspiration, cultural heritage, natural assets, activation, connectivity, and sustainability—shaped every element of the park’s first phase, which includes a pier, great lawn, food pavilion, and shade structures like The Nest.
Occupying a site rich in cultural history, The Nest also pays tribute to the former Sarasota County Library designed by Walter Netsch of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. Drawing inspiration from Netsch’s Field Theory, The Nest reinterprets geometric themes to create a dynamic, open-air structure that bridges the nostalgic past with the forward-looking vision of the park.
With its sculptural form and sustainable design, The Nest offers shaded seating and flexible space for events, performances, and daily use. It anchors the park’s central lawn while enhancing access to nature, celebrating Sarasota’s cultural legacy, and inviting all to participate in the life of the bayfront.
Sarasota County
Project information
Sarasota, FL
42 Acres
Completed in 2023
client/owner
location
size
Status (Phase 1)
Jerry Sparkman, a founding principal of Sweet Sparkman Architecture, 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.
Jerry Sparkman, AIA, NCARB
Shane LaMay, AIA, NCARB
Shane is a rare Florida native. He grew up in the middle of the state and attended the University of Florida, where he graduated cum laude with a degree in architecture. He studied at the Vicenza Institute of Architecture in Vicenza, Italy before attending the University of Florida Citylab, Sarasota, for his Master’s degree in Architecture. Shane interned at Sweet Sparkman Architects while attending Citylab. His work was exemplary, and his internship evolved into a permanent staff position.
Shane enjoys working on the firm’s public work: fire stations, parks, and theaters. He and his wife live with their dog, Guinness. Guinness is a beloved addition to the studio life at Sweet Sparkman Architects.
John Bryant, AIA, LEED AP
After receiving a degree in music at Grinnell College, John received his Master of Architecture from the University of Maryland School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation in 2007. At the University of Maryland, he received the Dean's Thesis Award and the 2007 David M. Schwarz Traveling Fellowship, which allowed for thesis research in Japan.
No one benefited more than Sweet Sparkman Architecture and Interiors when John and his family decided to move to Sarasota. His highly effective design and project management skills were instrumental in projects such as the Ringling College of Art + Design's Basch Visual Arts Center, Fruitville Elementary, and the New College Master Plan. His work with the Siesta Key Beach Pavilion has earned two awards: 2015 Florida Association of AIA: Merit Award for an Object for the Siesta Key Beach Pavilion's picnic shelter and a Finalist for the SRQ Magazine: Building of the Year. His work on Fruitville Elementary has earned the firm the coveted national 2017 Brick in Architecture Award K-12 given by the Brick Industry Association. John's prolific body of work during this period compelled the Florida / Caribbean AIA jury to award Sweet Sparkman the 2018 Firm of the Year.
Juan Ocaña, Associate AIA
With a background in architecture, fine arts, and design technology, Juan Ocaña brings a multidisciplinary lens to his work—blending curiosity, creativity, and technical fluency. Raised on Florida’s east coast and influenced by time spent in New Orleans, Nicaragua, and Mexico, Juan’s design perspective is shaped by a rich cultural heritage and a lifelong passion for art, music, and place making. He is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Architecture at the Academy of Art University while contributing to a wide range of public and private projects at Sweet Sparkman.
Juan’s approach to architecture is driven by a belief that design should do more than shelter—it should evoke emotion, inspire ideas, and respond thoughtfully to both context and user. His work balances bold, expressive forms with moments of quiet minimalism, always guided by rhythm, site, and purpose. He has contributed to notable projects including the adaptive reuse of Sarasota’s first public library and the design of a 100-acre spring training facility for the Atlanta Braves.
Outside the office, Juan enjoys playing guitar and listening to music across genres. He finds a deep connection between rhythm in both music and design, as it can serve as a foundation to explore unexpected moments in song as well as form and space.
Designed in Collaboration With Hello June Creative.
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