Starkey Ranch Theatre, Library, and Cultural Center

FleischmanGarciaMaslowski (FG+M) Architecture design of The Starkey Ranch Theater, Library, and Cultural Center has become part of the community fabric in Odessa, Florida. The Starkey Ranch community is experiencing significant growth with an influx of new residents searching for a relaxing environment focused on nature, family, and creating memories. The Natural Preserves on the south and north visually connect to the site.

The Theater, Library, and Cultural Center redefine the library’s role by acting as a ‘culture generator’ to the community and the adjacent school. The main reading spaces, the Adult Reading and Youth Reading rooms, serve as the corners of knowledge, providing rigidity and clarity to the fluid interior lobby by focusing on the surrounding Preserves. The exterior walls peel off to open the Natural Preserves inside the Youth and Adult Reading rooms. The connection to the Preserves transcends the lobby through transparency. As an ode to the ethos of the cultural center, a green wall greets visitors.

We merged all internal circulation to create a community ‘living room,’ inviting the community and students to hang out, read books, study, research, recycle, and learn. The fluidity of the curved walls in the ‘living room’ contrasts with the rigid exterior walls, creating an unexpected element. The layered ceilings connect all the spaces with their curves. A series of skylights pierce through the layered ceilings, fostering curiosity and connecting the lobby to the sky. Pockets of wood elements invite residents and students to congregate and connect. The Theater is a gathering space for the community with a stage for performances and a flexible space for many events. Display areas and exhibit spaces in the ‘living room’ engage the community and spark creativity in the maker spaces.

The roof design expresses the concept of the community ‘living room.’ A typical roof connects all the spaces from the entry to the courtyard. The ‘living room’ roof design comes from the geographical context and study of the sun pattern.
A stage, overhang, and backdrop activate the courtyard between the Theater Library Cultural Center and the adjacent school for outdoor lectures, performances, movie screenings, outdoor classrooms, and splash story time. The Youth Reading room is also oriented to connect to the adjoining school through the shared courtyard.