Adaptive Reuse of Historic Buildings Throughout Florida

Adaptive Reuse of Historic Buildings Throughout Florida

Ricardo E. Gonzalez III, Marketing Coordinator and Business Development Specialist at REG Architects

Tuesday, May 20, 2025

6-7pm

McCulloch Pavilion, 265 S Orange Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236

Parking is available in the lots East of the McCulloch Pavilion and South of Morril Street

ABOUT THE LECTURE

Journeying from the Florida Panhandle to the enchanting heart of the Everglades, this presentation delves into the captivating narratives of ten (10) adaptive reuse case studies. These examples tell the story of transformation, new life, and results that are both functional and operational. Change and growth are inevitable, but we can certainly direct and manage this change for the betterment of the community by preserving historic buildings. Many of these historic properties anchor neighborhoods and serev as a catalyst for investment in the community.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Rick Gonzalez, AIA has over 40 years of experience in historic preservation and architectural profession. Rick received two architectural degrees from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. with additional course work completed at Miami-Dade College, Francisco Marroquin University in Guatemala City and the Autonomous University of Central America in San Jose, Costa Rica. Mr. Gonzalez is a past Board Member and past President of the Florida Trust of Historic Preservation from 2008 to 2020 and a member of the American Institute of Architects since 1988 and was appointed to the Florida Historical Commission (FHC) by Governor Charlie Crist in 2008 to present and to Florida Board of Architecture and Interior Design (BOAID) by Governor Bush for two terms 2000-2007 (Chairman 2005 & 2006). Mr. Gonzalez was awarded the PB AIA Gold Medal in November 2020.

In March 2020, Rick was appointed by President Trump to the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, (ACHP) where he also temporarily served as the Vice Chairman/Interim Chair. Mr. Gonzalez is an award-winning architect, whose design standards have been used as examples for Palm Beach County’s Architectural Guidelines, Florida CNU Guidebook & ULI Land Development Handbook. Mr. Gonzalez lectures on historic preservation and urbanism in Florida and Columbia and is also an expert witness on these matters throughout the State of Florida. Mr. Gonzalez has mentored children in Palm Beach County through the Junior Achievement USA.

ABOUT PAST AS PROLOGUE

Historic Preservation is not about freezing historic sites and our built heritage in time, but working with residents and stakeholders to sensitively manage the change necessary to ensure our communities flourish. This year, Architecture Sarasota is celebrating National Historic Preservation Month by offering a range of activities under the theme of "Past is Prologue," emphasizing the role of preservation in safeguarding historic places while addressing current and future needs. Throughout May 2025, the organization is hosting lectures, open studios of local firms, excursions, and a Historic Preservation 101 course led by President Marty Hylton. The month concludes with an on-line auction, celebration, and an update on the organization's various initiatives including the Restoring a Sense of Place Disaster Recovery and Preserving the Manufactured Housing Communities of Sarasota County, among others.

IMAGE CREDITS

Feature Image: Courtesy of REG Architects

Image #2: Photo by William Venegas, Venegas Photography

Image #3: Courtesy of REG Architects

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