Nora Patterson Bay Island Park Bathroom Pavilion . Siesta Key, Florida.

This popular Sarasota County park on Bay Island has 2 acres of waterfront on Little Sarasota Bay with sweeping 270-degree views of the water, surrounding islands, and Siesta Key North Bridge. The park is frequented by fishermen, cyclists, picnickers, and people just enjoying the natural setting, but did not have restroom facilities to support these users. The County decided that this park needed permanent facilities to address this need.

The park’s location in a flood zone and public accessibility requirements necessitated that the structure be elevated and that an access ramp be provided. The resulting vantage point created an opportunity to capture views of the water to the South and park to the East with an observation deck. The ramp is designed to give visitors the experience of travelling through the canopy of existing trees.

The pavilion is designed to resist harsh coastal conditions by using a material palette of concrete, concrete block, and anodized aluminum. The end result is a pavilion with a light touch on the existing park site while providing elevated views of the surrounding environment.

Photographer: Ryan Gamma