News

Carlson Studio Architecture’s design of the newly completed Lifestyle and Wellness Center, located at the Sun N Fun Resort in Sarasota was featured by the American Institute of Architects (AIA).  The annual exhibition is presented at AIA National’s headquarters, the American Center for Architecture, in Washington, DC. The exhibition is on display from February through April 2013, and was viewed by over 700 attendees in conjunction with the annual AIA Grassroots Leadership and Legislative Conference.  The American Institute of Architects, Center for Emerging Professionals sponsors this annual exhibition of architectural work, art, and designs of emerging architectural professionals across North America.  

The Lifestyle and Wellness Center, an 18,000 SF facility, was designed by Jedd Heap, AIA LEED AP, of Carlson Studio Architecture for local resort Sun N Fun. The building is comprised of a therapy spa, a 25 meter indoor pool, exercise rooms that overlook the pool from the second floor, along with an upstairs aerobics room, steam & sauna rooms, locker rooms and access to adjacent exterior spas and pools.  The project received prestigious LEED Gold Certification from the US Green Building Council (USGBC) in 2012.

Architect Jedd Heap, AIA has been appointed to the national AIA’s Young Architect’s Forum (YAF) as Regional Director for the Florida Caribbean region.
The Young Architects Forum (YAF) is the voice of architects in the early stages of their career and a catalyst for change within the profession and our communities. Working closely with the AIA College of Fellows (COF), the YAF is leading the future of the profession with a focus on architects licensed less than 10 years. The national YAF AdCom is charged with encouraging the development of national and regional programs of interest to young architects and supporting the creation of YAF groups within local chapters. YAF programs, activities, and resources serve young architects by providing information and leadership; promoting excellence through fellowship with other professionals; and encouraging mentoring to enhance individual, community, and professional development.
In addition to his new role as YAF Regional Director, Jedd has also been elected as President of the local AIA Florida Gulf Coast Chapter for 2013. The mission of the AIA Chapter is to lead the way in promoting the sustainable growth and enhanced quality of life for our community and the architectural profession through advocacy, engaged membership, and collaborative efforts. The chapter serves Manatee, Sarasota, Highlands, Hardee, & Desoto counties.
A project architect at Carlson Studio Architecture (CSA), a Florida-based sustainable design firm, since 2007, Jedd has more than 15 years of professional design experience. He has managed several LEED-certified projects including the recently completed Sun N Fun Lifestyle Wellness Center.
In 1998 Jedd graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor’s Degree in architectural design and a Master’s Degree in Architecture at the University of South Florida, Tampa. Heap serves on the Manatee County 14th Ave CRA Advisory Board and has served on both the local and state boards of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). In 2009, the Florida AIA awarded Heap the Associate Honor Award.

Carlson Studio's own Michael Carlson, AIA, LEED AP, a leading green building design professional, has been elected Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Sarasota Housing Authority. Since being appointed to the Board by the mayor of Sarasota in 2010, Michael has served as the Chairman of the Development Committee, and Vice-Chair of the Board, prior to be elected chair by his fellow Board members.
“The Housing Authority is fortunate to have a local leader of Michael’s character and vision selected by his governing board peers to serve as our Chairman. I foresee Chairman Carlson leading the agency in a new direction regarding sustainability and healthy living environments for our residents and communities,” said Executive Director Bill Russell.
Carlson has been practicing architecture in Sarasota since 1986, and his firm, Carlson Studio Architecture is a leader in green building design in Florida. Since 2003, Michael has held leadership positions in the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) at the local, state and regional level. He has been a LEED Accredited professional since 2003, with a specialty in Building Design & Construction (BD+C). He currently serves as the Chair of the USGBC Florida Caribbean Regional Committee, which coordinates all 8 USGBC chapters in the region.
The Sarasota Housing Authority (SHA) was established as a public housing authority in 1938 under Florida statute to administer federal housing assistance for low, very low and extremely low-income families. Presently SHA provides housing for over 2100 families in Sarasota, FL. SHA administers an annual budget of over $17 million with a staff of 30.

Carlson Studio Architecture of Sarasota and Plunkett Raysich Architects, LLP of Milwaukee and Madison, WI, today announced the formation of a strategic partnership, which will build upon the unique industry expertise found in each firm: healthcare, education, long-term care, religious architecture, and multi-family housing.

The firms’ service offerings are complementary and they have both developed solid reputations as leaders in sustainable design. The alliance harnesses the talents of both firms, allowing each to expand and enhance their service to clients and prospects.  The combined resources of the two organizations will operate from CSA’s studio in downtown Sarasota, providing expanded capacity in order to deliver larger and more complex projects throughout Florida.

“This new partnership provides both firms the ability to grow geographically as well as support our clients’ facility design needs.”

                -David J. Raysich, Managing Partner, Plunkett Raysich Architects, LLP

“This alliance will provide our clients with the resources and horsepower to accomplish their goals, no matter the size or complexity a project might present. I appreciate PRA’s commitment to the Florida market with PRA partner John Holz’s move to Sarasota.”

                -Michael R. Carlson, President, Carlson Studio Architecture

About Plunkett Raysich Architects, LLP: PRA specializes in architectural planning and design of health care, long-term care, educational, corporate/commercial, manufacturing, government, civic, religious and hospitality facilities. The firm has been in business for 77 years and has a staff of 65.  Partner-in-Charge of the Sarasota Office will be John Holz, AIA, a 12 year veteran of Plunkett Raysich Architects.   John relocated to Florida in 2012 to begin developing the strategic partnership with Carlson Studio Architecture.  For more information please visit us online at www.prarch.com, on LinkedIn, Facebook or follow us on Twitter @PRAtweets.

Carlson Studio Architecture is a leader in sustainable design and LEED certified projects. Sustainability is the key principal they apply to all projects. Carlson Studio Architecture, founded 17 years ago, and is a full service design firm, committed to design excellence, comprehensive project delivery and personal attention on every project. CSA dedicated to the highest quality solutions, cost control and innovative use of technology. Principal of the firm, Michael Carlson has been practicing in Sarasota since 1986.  For more information please visit our web site at www.carlsonstudio.org

Michael Carlson, AIA, LEED AP

John Holz, AIA, LEED AP

April 10, 2013 – Sarasota, FL – The Cottonwood Cove Resort and Marina on Lake Mohave made history this month by achieving LEED-NC LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, making it the world’s first LEED certified floating green building. This eco-friendly marina, located in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area just outside of Las Vegas, was designed by Florida’s premier green design team, Carlson Studio Architecture (CSA). CSA, based in Sarasota, was selected for this unique project because of its diverse sustainable design experience.  The project, spearheaded by the National Park Service and Forever Resorts, LLC, serves as the marina’s operations office, and is literally floating ON Lake Mohave.  This project marks the 12^th LEED certified project the firm has been responsible for. 

“Using a team approach and the integrated design process, we were able to seamlessly incorporate environmentally friendly features throughout the project,” explained Project Architect Michael R. Carlson, AIA, LEED AP BD+C. “A committed ownership group, a skilled design team and conscientious contractor makes projects like this especially rewarding.”

The floating eco-friendly structure features sustainable modular construction and state-of-the-art energy-efficient and environmentally responsible materials and fixtures. The modular wall and roof system is constructed of Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPs) designed to lessen the amount of construction waste, improve the insulation value of the building and provide a tighter envelope than traditional construction. The SIPs also lowered the overall weight of the building, decreasing the load on the floating foundation system. Decking is made of a composite of rice hulls and recycled plastic, and the exterior stucco contains recycled tire particles. Use of low or no volatile organic compound materials, paints and adhesives will rid the building of the typical “new building” smell, improving the overall indoor air quality.

The project’s key green building design features include:

• Extensive energy saving materials and systems, including high-performance insulated glass
• High-efficient HVAC equipment

Extensive use of recycled and regionally extracted and/or manufactured materials, such as steel, drywall, metal studs, carpet, etc.

On February 23rd the Glasser Schoenbaum Human Services Center broke ground on their newest addtion to the campus, a 12,000 sf Children's Clinic. The clinic will be built on city owned land and run by the Sarasota County Health Deparment. 

Approximately 10,000 people receive services from the 17 not-for-profits on our campus. It is important to realize that some of these agencies could not perform the services they do if not for the opportunities provided by the Center. The agencies pay no rent, which saves their resources, allowing them to concentrate on delivering services.

It is also important to know that The Glasser/Schoenbaum Human Services Center does not benefit from The Season of Sharing, or receive federal, state, city or county funding. Visit their website, www.gs-humanservices.org.

Carlson Studio Architceture has been choosen to design the newest addtion to the Glasser-Schoenbaum Health and Human Services campus. The new "Sally and Sam Shaprio Babies & Children's Medical Center" is a 12,000 SF clinic that will treat over 60 under privliged children each day. The facility will be run the Sarasota County Health department and feature health care for newborns to teenagers, plans also include to add a new Family Practice provider that can treat the parents of the children when they help.

Sun N Fun's Lifestyle Wellness Building made a splash this month when it was featured in the Janruary 2013 issue of SRQ Magazine. The project earned LEED-NC Gold last year and has been featured in both local and national publications.

Click here to read the article

December 6, 2012 – Sarasota, FL –Michael Carlson was appointed chair of the Sarasota Housing Authority. SHA provides quality, affordable housing in the Sarasota area and is governed by a Board of Commissioners who are appointed by the Mayor of Sarasota and confirmed by the Sarasota City Commission. Michael has served on the Board since 2010.

Michael Carlson earned bachelor and master degrees from Ball State University in Architecture and Environmental Design. He began practicing architecture in Florida in 1989 and founded Carlson Studio Architecture (CSA) in 1997, a firm that prides itself on high quality design for sustainable construction. CSA recently earned its eleventh Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Certification and Commercial Interiors project of the year for the Florida Gulf Coast chapter of the US Green Building Council (USGBC). In addition to his service for SHA, Carlson is chairman of the USGBC Regional Committee. He is a founding board member for the Florida Gulf Coast chapter of USGBC and a previous chairman of the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce Green Business Leadership Council.

December 6, 2012 – Sarasota, FL –Carlson Studio Architecture recently received the Florida Gulf Coast Chapter US Green Building Council’s (USGBC) LEED for Commercial Interiors outstanding project of the year award. The chapter held its 3^rd Annual LEEDership Awards ceremony on October 23, 2012, where it recognized outstanding projects and people “LEEDing the way” to a more sustainable Florida Gulf Coast. 

The award winning project by Carlson Studio Architecture (CSA), Lakewood Ranch Plastic Surgery, offers a serene, spa-like atmosphere, with specially designed eco-friendly features to improve quality of life in a medical environment. 

For lasting sustainable results CSA utilized only renewable resources such as bamboo, cork, carpet made from recycled materials, and low or no VOC (volatile organic compound) adhesives and paints. The firm also specified the installation of an energy efficient HVAC system, translucent and transparent glass installations for optimal daylight, energy efficient fluorescent lighting, occupancy sensors for lighting in exam rooms and offices, low-flow plumbing fixtures and motion sensor faucets. Their efforts saved Lakewood Ranch Plastic Surgery over 15% of energy usage and an approximate 50% of water usage as compared to traditional construction.