Add To Collection
Add to Collection
Ringling College of Art + Design Basch Visual Art Center
Ringling College of Art + Design Basch Visual Art Center
Sarasota, FL, United States
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
Other Projects by Sweet Sparkman
Ringling College of Art + Design Basch Visual Art Center
Sarasota, FL, United States
The Basch Visual Arts Center at Ringling College of Art and Design is a dynamic, 38,500-square-foot facility that serves as a transformative space for artistic creation and education. Celebrated as “the new heart of Ringling College,” the center redefines the campus with its bold architectural presence and thoughtfully designed spaces that support both traditional and contemporary art disciplines. From its inception, the project set an ambitious goal: to create an exceptional facility that would reflect the college’s prestigious standing as a premier art institution. Sweet Sparkman Architecture & Interiors embraced this challenge, conducting extensive collaboration with faculty and rigorous research into the technical requirements of glassblowing, ceramics, sculpture, printmaking, and more.
The design is inspired by the artistic processes it houses. Angular geometries, zinc cladding, and red metallic accents evoke the intaglio printmaking technique, while the building’s sculptural “shard” pierces the structure, symbolizing the energy and artistry of glassblowing. The center’s functional layout is equally innovative. A one-story volume houses ceramic and glass studios that open onto a campus green, while the three-story volume contains fine art studios and classrooms. The cantilevered design enhances visibility of the studios from the street while creating a sheltered civic space along the busy boulevard. Additionally, a 3,000-square-foot gallery near the street invites the broader community to engage with art, highlighting the facility’s role as a bridge between the college and Sarasota’s cultural fabric.
Achieving LEED Silver certification, the Basch Visual Arts Center reflects Ringling College’s commitment to sustainability and the environment. With its striking aesthetics, cutting-edge technical planning, and seamless integration of functionality and durability, the center stands as a piece of art in its own right. It exemplifies Sweet Sparkman’s ability to design transformative spaces that inspire creativity while meeting the highest standards of environmental and technical excellence.
The design is inspired by the artistic processes it houses. Angular geometries, zinc cladding, and red metallic accents evoke the intaglio printmaking technique, while the building’s sculptural “shard” pierces the structure, symbolizing the energy and artistry of glassblowing. The center’s functional layout is equally innovative. A one-story volume houses ceramic and glass studios that open onto a campus green, while the three-story volume contains fine art studios and classrooms. The cantilevered design enhances visibility of the studios from the street while creating a sheltered civic space along the busy boulevard. Additionally, a 3,000-square-foot gallery near the street invites the broader community to engage with art, highlighting the facility’s role as a bridge between the college and Sarasota’s cultural fabric.
Achieving LEED Silver certification, the Basch Visual Arts Center reflects Ringling College’s commitment to sustainability and the environment. With its striking aesthetics, cutting-edge technical planning, and seamless integration of functionality and durability, the center stands as a piece of art in its own right. It exemplifies Sweet Sparkman’s ability to design transformative spaces that inspire creativity while meeting the highest standards of environmental and technical excellence.
Product Spec Sheet
Were your products used?
Join as a manufacturer to add your products.