Michael A. Gilkey, Inc.

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News from the Design Studio: October 2009

Outdoor Rooms: The Origami Loft House

Michael A. Gilkey, Inc. was pleased to collaborate again with Jonathan Parks Architect in creating a sustainable landscape for this Venice Island residence, architecturally inspired by the principles of origami.

Landscape architect Michael A. Gilkey, Jr. used native plant material and recycled aggregate to create a modern Florida-Friendly garden, and incorporated a custom designed rainwater harvesting eco-fountain in the front yard. The use of turf was limited by using native wildflowers for lawn areas.

Art in the Landscape: Casey Key Glass Sculpture

Michael A. Gilkey, Inc. has just completed the collaborative installation of a custom designed architectural glass sculpture for a renovation on Casey Key. The piece was designed by landscape architect Michael A. Gilkey, Jr. and created and installed by Sarah Hinds of Gainesville's Somewhere Glassworks , with photography by Camille Pyatte.

Inspired by the home's Gulf frontage views, the five individually sandblasted glass panels present an homage to Southwest Florida's sunsets. The panels are set within stainless steel brushed posts and collars. At night, the panels are uplit with fiber optics through these collars, providing a stunning entry statement to this modern landscape renovation.

Art in the Landscape: On the Boards

As we discuss art in the landscape this month, we cannot overlook this dry-stacked serpentine wall we are designing for a net-zero emission home being built by Josh Wynne Construction. We look forward to showing you the finished project, inspired by the juxtaposition of wilderness and domesticity.

Origami Loft House Featured in October Sarasota Magazine

Congratulations to architect Jonathan Parks and the owners of the Origami Loft House for their feature in this month's Sarasota Magazine.

An excerpt: " 'We...asked for lots of natural light and the ability to access the outside yards from almost every room,' the homeowner adds. As the architects pondered those requests, the idea of an 'origami loft house' began to unfold.

Michael A. Gilkey, Inc. was proud to be a part of this stellar design team.

Current Trends: Art in the Landscape (Context is Key)

A lot of attention has been given recently to public art, particularly its place in City government. We have heard no shortage of opinions about what defines art, and how art defines a city. But one aspect of any successful public art campaign has been overlooked in this conversation: its integration into the landscape.

The emotion evoked from a piece of art can be either inhibited or enhanced by its surrounding context. If, for example, a particular piece is intended to bring a feeling of romance and nostalgia to the viewer, an opportunity is missed if we do not create an intimate environment where plant material, lighting and pedestrian scale elements reinforce the concept of the piece.

I urge our City Commission and Public Art Committee to develop a campaign that will ultimately evoke emotion from Sarasota's residents and visitors, rather than controversy.

--Michael A. Gilkey, Jr. LA#6666774

Honorable Mention

The September edition of the Herald-Tribune's Style Magazine included a section on 'green' wedding gifts, and featured butterfly gardens by Michael A. Gilkey, Inc.

An excerpt: "Butterflies symbolize the cycle of life," says landscape architect Michael Gilkey. "A butterfly garden is a great gift for a new couple starting their lives together." For your newlywed couple, Gilkey will create a butterfly garden that is aesthetically pleasing and long-lasting. But Gilkey stresses there are deeper benefits. "Butterfly habitats are disappearing. The couple's new home can be their home too."

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