Shibusa

This instalment of the Oscar Riera Ojeda Publishers Masterpiece Series focuses on Hive Architects' Shibusa Residence on the Big Sarasota Pass in Siesta Key, Florida. In response to the client's brief; for their future home to reflect their simple, uncomplicated lifestyle, the long, narrow lot and zoning requirements, the studio decided to base their project around the Japanese concept of Shibusa: economy of form, line and effort resulting in a refined, timeless tranquility. Featuring critical texts by renowned architectural writers, detailed plans and layouts and comprehensive photographic documentation, this monograph shows how the L-shaped structure made up of a pair of rectilinear pavilions seems to float over the tropical landscape, offering excellent functionality for the public and private programs, which include a main and guest pavilion, tropical garden and lap pool, and, crucially, an uninterrupted stream of views of the Big Sarasota Pass and/or Bayou Louise throughout the property.

A native of France, Gwen received her Bachelor of Design degree in 2001 and her Master of Architecture degree with high honors in 2003 from the University of Florida College of Design, Construction, and Planning. She serves as a Principal and Partner at Hive Architects Inc. and specializes in commercial work that exhibits a strong commitment to clarity of thought, design integrity, and quality of architectural detail. With her background and expertise, Hive Architects has become a multi-disciplinary practice that includes interior design, residential architecture, historic preservation, as well as private and public commercial projects. Prior to joining Hive Architects, Gwen achieved significant experience and expertise for public and private commercial projects while working at Sweet Sparkman Architects. As a Project Manager for over 11 years, she obtained a vast comprehension for diverse project types and scales that included tenant improvements, commercial buildings, local beach pavilions, fire stations, and libraries. Always wanting to promote design, Gwen is a mentor for the ACE (Architecture, Construction, and Engineering) program at a local high school where she introduces the younger generations to the architecture profession and guides them in the development of their first project. In 2019, Gwen received the Young Architects Design Award from the University of Florida for her significant design contributions in the architectural profession.Award-Winning Architecture Photographer Located in Sarasota Florida. Aaron Betsky is Director of the School of Architecture and Design at Virginia Tech. Previously, he was President of the School of Architecture at Taliesin. A critic of art, architecture, and design, Mr. Betsky is the author of over a dozen books on those subjects, including forthcoming volumes on Frank Lloyd Wright, and the landscape architecture firm Turenscape. He writes a twice-weekly blog for architectmagazine.com, Beyond Buildings. Trained as an architect and in the humanities at Yale University, Mr. Betsky was previously Director of the Cincinnati Art Museum (2006-2014) and the Netherlands Architecture Institute (2001-2006), as well as Curator of Architecture and Design at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (1995-2001). In 2008, he also directed the 11 th Venice International Biennale of Architecture. Joe is the founding Principal of Hive Architects Inc. His work focuses on purposeful modernism that heightens the user’s perception and connection with space. Through carefully crafted design solutions rooted in regional modernism, Joe’s work can be characterized as having a rigorously clear, concise and timeless aesthetic. In 2019, Joe received the Young Architects Design Award from the University of Florida School of Architecture for his significant design contributions in the architectural profession. Prior to receiving his Bachelor of Design degree in 2001 and Master of Architecture degree with high honors in 2003 from the University of Florida, Joe was the recipient of numerous design awards and scholarships for his consistent academic achievement. Before launching Hive, Joe served as a Project Architect for Guy Peterson | OFA where he worked for 12 years. He was responsible for all aspects of project development through completion with built residential projects on Longboat Key, Lido Shores, Siesta Key, Casey Key and Palm Island. Together with with his wife and Partner, Gwen Leroy-Kelly, AIA, they share responsibility for developing the vision of the practice that is influenced by architectural concepts engendered by the Sarasota School of Architecture movement. Their designs include simple volumes and lines with a strong emphasis on the expression of the structural systems, as well as, architectural components that respond to Florida’s subtropical climate.