Strang Design x Sarasota Architecture honour Gene Leedy with a retrospective exhibition

Architect Max Strang of Strang designs and Architecture Sarasota, a non-profit organisation that caters to the Sarasota School of Architecture, is all set to celebrate the legendary Mid-century architect, Gene Leedy. An exhibition commemorating Leedy's legacy is planned for April 7 to May 29, 2022. “I am thrilled that Architecture Sarasota will honour Leedy’s legacy with a symposium and exhibition. It is also a great pleasure to lead the tours of his work in Winter Haven. No doubt that this Florida icon will gain some new admirers," says Max Strang On Gene Leedy’s office and the residence being celebrated at the exhibition.

“Simply put, this is one of Florida’s best buildings, and we want to share it. We are finalising plans to make the Leedy office available for tours and special events,” expresses Max Strang; who grew up in close contact with Gene Leedy and worked remotely under his guidance before moving on to establish his own practice. Strang’s inspiration thrives on the design values that Leedy left behind in the form of his invaluable creations and his signature low footprint designs. Upon the legendary architect’s passing, the Strang Design team took up the restoration project for Leedy’s residence. The team intends to use Leedy’s home in the future for educational and exhibition purposes, utilising it as a showcase to promote the benefits of sustainability and low-footprint living.

Born and brought up in Winter Haven, Florida, Gene Leedy was a pioneer of modern design. He contributed to the development of many unique projects across Florida, which was powered by his innovative approach to designing, using pre-stressed concrete and double-T beams. Some of his most notable works include the Gene Leedy office, Leedy’s private residence, the Sarasota school of architecture, Winter Haven city hall etc. All of his architectural crowning jewels focus on the principle of ‘environmental modernism’, which in turn portrays his exquisite design practice and structural elegance.

By 2023, the Strang design team aims at incorporating Leedy’s office building as one of their creative hubs. It is an iconic project done by the late architect, which stands tall as one of the earliest buildings to employ columns, beams and skeletal structure in a system of prestressed concrete. It holds a lot of importance as the building, which housed Leedy’s architectural drawings worth over seven decades, that are currently relocated to the Architecture Archives of George A. Smathers Library at the University of Florida.

The exhibition and symposium organised to commemorate Leedy’s marvellous career will provide the visitors with a chance to grasp his design intentions, innovations and conceptualisation. With the house on tour, Max Strang is all set to narrate Leedy’s life stories and to provide the subsequent practitioners from across the world to realise the impact and importance of environmental responsiveness. The exhibition will also extend some focus on one of Leedy’s iconic projects – Midnight Pass house designed for artist Syd Solomon – which serves as a gathering platform for different artists and intellectuals.

Some other notable events to take place at the exhibition include, the screening of the firms’ documentary, The Gene Leedy Influence, which will be shown at the Architecture Sarasota’s McCulloch Pavilion. It will be followed by a complete tour of Leedy’s landmark building across Winter Haven and a VIP cocktail reception at Gene Leedy’s house. Sarasota Architecture is a non-profit organisation dedicated to preserving Sarasota's school of architecture. They strive to provide a strong platform for education, advocacy, and celebration of good design in the built environment.