Habitat for Humanity - Leonard Reid

Habitat for Humanity - Leonard Reid

Sweet Sparkman Architecture & Interiors as Architects

"When Dr. David Brain and Mr. Jerry Sparkman recommended a charrette as the most effective approach to the design of this project, I really didn’t understand the amount and quality of work that could result from a single intense week of work. Nor did I understand the potential significance of engaging the community in a charrette process. In the end, the charrette was successful far beyond our expectations.” Mike Jacobson, Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity Sarasota


The Leonard Reid project is a new mixed-income, mixed-tenure, mixed-use neighborhood on approximately 15 acres that was been assembled on Leonard Reid Road by Habitat for Humanity. The site represents an extraordinary opportunity: a substantial parcel available for development within a five to ten minute walk from the North County Public Library, a community center, a possible WalMart (or other major retail development on Dr. Martin Luther King Way), a major park and recreational facility, and Emma E. Booker Elementary School, and Booker Middle School.


The project is a partnership that involves two development partners: Goodwill Manasota GoodHomes as well as Habitat for Humanity. By combining the different approaches of these partners, the new neighborhood would accommodate an unusually wide range of incomes, from approximately 40% to 140% of the area median income. In addition, there was the opportunity to include Children First childcare facilities on site, as well as other neighborhood-oriented amenities. At the first meeting with the partners, Dr. David Brain and Jerry Sparkman proposed a charrette process, following the NCI model of dynamic planning. A collaborative process that included the stakeholders from the beginning, they argued, would be the most efficient and creative route to a good design, while helping to build community support at the same time. During the pre-charrette phase of the process, the team met with neighbors and neighborhood groups, potential residents, county planning staff, community leaders, and business interests. The charrette itself took place in May, 2007, in a studio set up in the Tempo News Building located adjacent to the project site. During the course of a week, the team held general public meetings, daily lunchtime meetings with interested members of the public, a mid-charrette pin-up, focused meetings with neighbors and specific stakeholders, and technical meetings to enlist the assistance of representatives from SCAT, county zoning officials, Newtown redevelopment specialists, experts on green building and sustainable development, staff from the county library, affordable housing builders, and real estate professionals.

Products Behind Projects
Product Spotlight
News
Snøhetta designs new extension for the world’s oldest ski museum in Oslo
28 Mar 2024 News
Snøhetta designs new extension for the world’s oldest ski museum in Oslo

Global transdisciplinary architecture and design practice Snøhetta has designed a new entranc... More

10 public buildings that demonstrate architectural applications of precast concrete
27 Mar 2024 Specification
10 public buildings that demonstrate architectural applications of precast concrete

Precast concrete is made by casting concrete in a reusable mold. These molds are made of various mat... More

Sameep Padora and Associates creates a flowing, organic art center in southern India
26 Mar 2024 News
Sameep Padora & Associates creates a flowing, organic art center in southern India

Mumbai-based Sameep Padora & Associates (sP+a) has completed Hampi Art Labs in Toranagallu, a vi... More

Introducing Partner Thermory AS
26 Mar 2024 Partner News
Introducing Partner Thermory AS

Thermory AS offers a diverse product range that includes durable exterior cladding, decking, interio... More

Brooklyn Tower by ShOP Architects showcases a unique materiality
25 Mar 2024 News
Brooklyn Tower by ShOP Architects showcases a unique materiality

Brooklyn Tower, standing an impressive ninety-three stories tall with a unique neo-deco crown, is al... More

Doriana Fuksas, Martin Lesjak, Li Xiang and Steven Wright join Archello Awards 2024 jury
25 Mar 2024 Archello Awards
Doriana Fuksas, Martin Lesjak, Li Xiang and Steven Wright join Archello Awards 2024 jury

Doriana Fuksas, Martin Lesjak, Li Xiang and Steven Wright have been announced as Archello Awards 202... More

Vurpas Architectes converts former brick and concrete market into light-filled primary school in Lyon
22 Mar 2024 News
Vurpas Architectes converts former brick and concrete market into light-filled primary school in Lyon

The Eugénie Brazier school project in Lyon, France, undertaken by regional architecture studi... More

Detail: Pleated facade geometry of Bonfiglioli HQ by Peter Pichler Architecture
21 Mar 2024 Detail
Detail: Pleated facade geometry of Bonfiglioli HQ by Peter Pichler Architecture

Designed by Peter Pichler Architecture, the new Bonfiglioli Headquarters is located in Calderara di... More