Designed with Community in Mind
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The William H. Jervey, Jr. Venice Public Library was thoughtfully designed to serve as a dynamic and welcoming hub for the Venice community. Guided by feedback from over 25 public meetings, the library features dedicated spaces for adults, young adults, and children, as well as PC workstations, a makerspace, group study rooms, and a multi-purpose meeting room. This flexible design supports a wide range of activities, from quiet reading and study to collaborative workshops and community events.
Adhering to Venice’s “Northern Italian Renaissance” architectural guidelines, the library balances timeless design with contemporary functionality. The exterior incorporates durable materials like stucco and clay barrel tiles, while the interiors feature ash wood-slat ceilings and frameless windows to create a bright, inviting atmosphere. Outdoor spaces, including a tranquil reading garden and a shaded children’s play area, extend the library’s mission beyond its walls. Built with sustainability in mind, the library is solar-ready and LEED Silver certified, reflecting a commitment to environmental stewardship. The Venice Public Library is more than a building—it’s a space designed to inspire, educate, and connect the community.
Sarasota County
Project information
Venice, FL
24,000 SF
Completed in 2018
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.
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.
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