Bonnet House Museum

Fort Lauderdale, Florida | with Glavovic Studio

The proposed 26,000 square feet Visitor Engagement Center on a barrier island between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway seeks to redefine the Bonnet House Museum and Gardens visitor experience. Marked by openness, transparency, and natural light, the modern architecture harmoniously integrates with the historic site, extending the legacy of the Bonnet House. Conceived as a pavilion and gateway, the design draws inspiration from the "dog trot" vernacular architecture and the open-air lifestyle of the Bartlett family, offering exterior connections that immerse guests in indigenous landscapes and evoke constant moments of wonder.

The Visitor Engagement Center strategically links discreet building volumes within a protected open space, creating an arbor of textures, orchids, and historical narratives. The south side caters to the guest experience, distinct from the north's administration, both with direct access to a covered porte-cochere and historical routes. The linear north-south orientation maximizes views and breezes, and a main circulation corridor transforms into a shaded open-air promenade leading to and from the Bonnet House & Gardens. The design features a long rectangular folded concrete, solar-paneled roof canopy, hovering above transparent and opaque volumes, reminiscent of the original Bonnet House enclave. The use of diverse construction materials, including concrete, glass, wood, and native stone, aligns with the original Bonnet House aesthetic. Additional programmatic spaces like "Mangrove Court" and "Lagoon Court" provide income-generating opportunities, enriching the museum's event offerings.

Honors:

2022 Bonnet House Museum Competition Finalist