studio hive
Hive Architects’ studio occupies the northwest corner of the historically designated BOTA Center in Sarasota’s Rosemary District. After the building’s shell was rehabilitated in 2017, Hive transformed the mid-century structure into a workplace that reflects the firm’s architectural approach—working with the character of an existing place rather than imposing a new identity.
The original post-and-beam steel structure, authentic terrazzo floors, slender aluminum window systems, and expansive glazing form the studio's foundation. These elements remain the primary architectural expression, preserving the building’s material honesty and structural clarity that define its mid-century character.
New interventions are deliberately restrained. Wood, hot-rolled steel, and frameless glass are introduced as carefully detailed insertions that define spaces without competing with the existing architecture. The contrast between these new elements and the original building fabric creates a dialogue between the building’s industrial heritage and its contemporary use.
The studio is organized around an open, collaborative workspace that reflects how Hive develops projects. Flexible areas encourage conversation, drawing, material exploration, and idea exchange, allowing the physical environment to evolve alongside the work. Rather than isolating functions in rigid rooms, the plan preserves visual and physical connections throughout the studio.
As Hive’s own workplace, the studio offers a firsthand opportunity to experience the principles that inform the practice: respect for context, clarity of structure, thoughtful use of materials, and restraint. The architecture is intentionally quiet, keeping the existing building and the people who work within it at the center of the experience.
Location:
Rosemary District | Sarasota, Florida
Type:
Commercial Interior Architecture | Architecture Studio
Status:
Completed, 2017
Awards:
2019 | AIA Florida/Caribbean Merit Award of Excellence for Interiors
Photography:
© 2018 | Ryan Gamma