KeyNote Submission
This curated collection of published or publishable content authored by LAI members showcases our industry’s best thought leadership. Articles and excerpts share a wealth of knowledge — from industry trends and academic research to expert perspectives.
KeyNotes Post Suggestions:
Content for KeyNotes posts consist of land-economics topics and directly relate to a LAI member, chapter, or a global LAI event.
Chapter meeting synopses are perfect for KeyNotes posts as well as articles written by a LAI member or honoring a member.
Personal or business travel that ties in land economics within images and copy are interesting KeyNotes posts.
Peruse past KeyNotes posts for inspiration on crafting a unique post.
Articles of any length are accepted, though long articles may be best broken into a series. Multi-media material such as ppt, charts, video, links to other material, etc. are often integral to substantiating post content.
Bringing Together
Foresight.
And Insight.
Transforming Places, Inspiring Lives
August 20, 2025
Article authored by:
Holly Elmore – LAI FL Suncoast President & LAI Global Water-Land Series Group Co-Chair
Holly’s eclectic career path includes multiple facets ranging from the corporate arena (Arthur Andersen Auditor & Trammell Crow Controller) to the foodservice industry (owner of a corporate catering business & restaurants) to sustainability-industry leader (Zero Waste Zones & Earth Impact Founder). In addition, Holly is an avid nature & documentary photographer and respected journalist with prominent articles and photographs featured in national publications.
On Wednesday, June 25, 2025, Architecture Sarasota (AS) hosted the the LAI FL Suncoast Chapter (Chapter) for an empowering meeting at their stellar McCulloch Pavilion headquarters. Thanks to J.P.Morgan Private Bank’s generous sponsorship the meeting was free to attend for chapter members .
After a new-member induction, Chapter Emcee John McCarthy introduced AS President Marty Hylton who gave a superb presentation to the nearly 50 LAI and AS members as well as prospective members attending the event.
Architecture Sarasota President Marty Hylton Speaking – photo use courtesy of Holly Elmore Images
Engaged Audience
– photo use courtesy of Holly Elmore Images
Transforming Places, Inspiring Lives
Founded in 2021 when the Center for Architecture Sarasota and the Sarasota Architectural Foundation merged, AS welcomed Marty as its first president in 2023. Via private funding, the Center for Architecture Sarasota renovated the Scott Building, originally designed as a furniture showroom in 1959, and moved into the renamed McCulloch Pavilion in October 2015. Architecture Sarasota resides in the McCulloch Pavilion.
Architecture Sarasota stewards the legacy of the Sarasota School of Architecture and provides a forum for the education, advocacy and celebration of good design in the global built environment.
Marty opened his excellent presentation with an overview of the Sarasota School of Architecture (School) with a multitude of iconic images intertwined with interesting, often humorous, anecdotes regarding the architects and/or the buildings.
(1959) Arguedas / Zig Zag House, Architect: Tollyn Twitchell
(1954) Joseph Gould / Chapell House; Designers: Philip Hiss Associates, Inc.; Renovation Architect: Donald Chapell
As stated in the November 2022 Sarasota Magazine article, Essential Intelligence About the Sarasota School of Architecture, “Sarasota is ground zero for a midcentury modern architectural movement called the Sarasota School of Architecture, … The post-World War II Sarasota School movement lasted from just 1941 to 1966 but left an indelible mark. Its most heralded names include Philip Hiss, Ralph Twitchell, Paul Rudolph, Victor Lundy, Jack West and Gene Leedy. Many of the original Sarasota School homes are in the Lido Shores neighborhood, but other examples from the school can also be found on Siesta Key and throughout the city.”
In its capacity as steward for the School, AS is active via their We Educate, We Advocate, and We Celebrate platforms. Beyond the School steward, AS is active within Environmental Adaptation, Sustainable Urbanism, and Modern Dwelling arenas.
MOD Weekend
AS hosts an annual MOD Weekend in November with a plethora of activities focused on the School. The 2025 MOD Weekend celebrates Moderns that Matter: Sarasota 100, an initiative that launched in March 2024 and includes an exhibition and book. The initiative compiled a list of 100 places and spaces organized over ten use categories and detailed them chronologically. #1 on the list is Cà d’Zan, House of John and Mabel Ringling designed by Ralph Twitchell and built in 1926. #100 on the list is the present day Waterfront.
Activities include an opening reception at the Umbrella House, a famous School home, a symposium hosted at the Ringling College of Art & Design, three tours throughout the weekend, and ends with an open house at the McCullough Pavilion. The tours include The Bay Architecture Tour, a self-guided or shuttle-bus tour of homes, and Sarasota 100 Tour by Water, a two-hour boat tour via the LeBarge Tropical Cruises.
(1950) Healy Guest (“Cocoon”) House; Architects: Ralph Twitchell and Paul Rudolph
(1953) Umbrella House, Architect: Paul Rudolph; Umbrella East Elevation Restoration: Hall Architects, Jonathan Parks, SOLSTICE Planning and Architecture
Philip Hanson Hiss Award
SA’s Philip Hanson Hiss Award honors today’s pioneers and champions of innovative design within the global built environment. As stated in the 2025 AS press release:
Architecture Sarasota has named internationally acclaimed landscape architecture and urban design practice OLIN as the 2025 recipient of its Philip Hanson Hiss Award, recognizing their transformative landscapes that enrich communities and connect culture with the living world, including the recent revitalization of Sarasota’s Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, a 2024 TIME’s World’s Greatest Place.
Marty concluded his impressive presentation with the following quote from Philip Hanson Hiss:
Buildings speak a great deal louder than words. They say many things about a community’s attitude toward education, toward intellectualism, toward creativity. They speak of interest or apathy, pride or neglect.
The IMPACT Magazine article, Transforming Places, Inspiring Lives, showcases the FL Suncoast June 25 meeting with a feature on Marty’s impressive presentation; the Holly Elmore Images (HEI) album, 06-25-25 LAI FL Suncoast Meeting, provides a pictorial recap of the meeting. Marty’s PPT presentation is available for download at this LINK.
2026 One-by-Land, Two-by-Sea Tours / Water Challenges, Economics, and Nature-Based Solution LED
AS is integrated within the February 25 – 27, 2026 One-by-Land, Two-by-Sea Tours (Tours) and the Water Challenges, Economics, and Nature-Based Solution LED (Land Economics Dialogues.) The Tours opening reception is hosted by Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, a 2024 TIME’s World’s Greatest Place and recipient of the coveted 2025 Philip Hanson Hiss Award via OLIN’s recognition for their transformative landscapes. Selby Gardens President and CEO Jennifer Rominiecki is the keynote speaker at the opening reception.
The February 25 9 am – 4 pm LED is hosted by AS at their McCullough Pavilion. During LED breaks, participants may visit the showroom exhibits on the School and Moderns that Matter: Sarasota 100.
Visit the LAI Global Event Page SemiQ 2026 East Coast Tour: One-by-Land, Two-by Sea Tours for details on the Tours and LED as well as live registration links.
Photos are courtesy of Architecture Sarasota unless otherwise specified.
KeyNotes are submitted by LAI members. Many submissions reflect the author’s professional opinions and views on relevant issues concerning the organizational mission and purpose of LAI. LAI, as an organization, does not take a position on Keynote submissions, and supports providing an open forum of ideas forwarded for thoughtful consideration. Submissions should not be construed as LAI endorsements.