“The Kotler-Coville Glass Art Pavilion provides a wonderful new entry experience for our visitors and strongly communicates that The Ringling is a significant presenter of both visual and performing arts. It conveys commitment to performers and visual artists engaged in creating the art of our time.”
Steven High
Executive Director, Kotler-Coville Glass Art Pavilion
The design process was guided by a deep exploration of Sarasota’s coastal environment. The team studied the shifting sand bars and shoreline shallows where water, wind, and sediment form fluid, parallel ripples that are shaped by nature and connected to the very materiality of glass itself. These observations developed into abstracted sketches and physical studies, ultimately informing the building’s defining architectural feature: a façade of vertical fins that soften daylight, protect delicate artwork, and create a dynamic rhythm that shifts throughout the day.
Inside, the Pavilion was designed as both gallery and connective space. A tall two-story volume provides flexibility for exhibitions, events, ticketing, and theater access, while a suspended mezzanine maximizes clear floor area below. Support spaces, including a rehearsal studio, dressing rooms, and theater circulation, are seamlessly integrated to strengthen the relationship between performance and visual arts. Large areas of glazing invite visitors approaching through the Gate House to glimpse the illuminated displays, drawing them inward and transforming the Pavilion into an active beacon after dark.
The result is a refined and contemporary addition that elevates the museum experience while honoring its historic setting. The Pavilion enhances the cultural heart of the campus, strengthens community connection, and offers a space where art, architecture, and environment come together in a way that feels both timeless and distinctly of its place.
