SARASOTA...RICH IN HISTORY

A number of the houses are clustered immediately to the south of downtown and to the north predominantly in Sapphire Shores.  These houses are highly sought after and usually go at a premium compared to other houses of the same location and square footage.

The Sarasota School of Architecture lays it roots to the work done by Ralph Twitchell and Paul Rudolph. Ralph Twitchell, an early Sarasota architect, is credited by most people as being the “grandfather” of the Sarasota School of Architecture.  Although his work is Sarasota dates from the 1920s, it was in the late 1930s that his designs grew more modern with a notable emphasis upon clean fluid building lines and a lack of ornamentation. 

Twitchell’s own house, built in 1942 and still standing, exhibits an open plan, flat roof and broad overhands, large expanses of glass and stacked Ocala Block walls.  The horizontality of these designs blended well with the flat Florida landscape.  Many of the homes which are part of the Sarasota School of Architecture were built on Siesta Key. 

They were built on the island because of their appeal to seasonal residents as low cost second homes and their distinctly different designs, very much in contrast with the traditional architectural styles of the north.  The philosophy of the style originated by Twitchell and his young partner, Paul Rudolph, was to bring the outdoors in.  This style also complemented the casual lifestyle on the barrier island.  Paul Rudolph established his own firm in 1952 and ultimately became the Dean of the School of Architecture at Yale University.