sarasota crew boathouse
Osprey, FL
Empowering Lives. One Rower At A Time.
Rowers from all walks of life come to us, not because we focus on the importance of winning like other organizations, but because we create a healthy environment – socially, physically, emotionally – and teach the proper skill set to empower every rower to conquer the next challenge in their life. The club now has over 183 high school youth rowers, as well as an elementary and middle school program of 180 youths and summer camp programs with well over 250 participants. The club has a very competitive fleet of over 135 rowing shells and this competition project is to house the growing program and springboard it into the future.
Design Comptetition in 2026
The exterior skin is a series of conceptual diagrams of the boat shell, the oar motion while rowing, and the forces created against the water to inform our building shape. The roof canopy shields the building from direct Florida sun while the solar panels on the roof capture that energy to offset power usage. Two rowing motions informed the roof shape translated to each facade of the building. The exterior columns represent the rowing shell leaning against the building in an exaggerated sense. A cross-cable system connects each seat position on the shell column adjacent column to create an interconnected structural element.
Building Data:
18,800 conditioned square feet. 10,000 square feet of fitness space. 10,000 square feet of boathouse storage racks. 12 dormitory rooms for stay and train programs. 2,500 square feet viewing deck, lounge, and outdoor event space.