Schenkel Shultz

Learning By Design magazine recently unveiled the winners of the 2024 Design Awards, and we are proud to announce that our Porter Family Center for Innovation & Academics received the Outstanding Project Award. Collaboration between Schenkel Shultz and the leadership of Lake Highland Preparatory School—its President, Board of Directors, and dedicated administrative and teaching staff—made this achievement possible. This accolade not only celebrates our work but also reflects our commitment to advancing educational facility design. Being recognized alongside the nation’s leading architectural firms is an honor, and we extend our heartfelt gratitude for this acknowledgment. Read more about it below. https://lnkd.in/gjdyrfph

Hispanic Heritage Month highlights day five Félix Benítez Rexach, a visionary Puerto Rican engineer and architect, left an indelible mark on the world with his creation of the Normandie Hotel. Completed in 1939, the hotel's design blends Art Deco elegance with nautical influences, drawing inspiration from the French ocean liner SS Normandie. Its sleek, ship-like form, curved lines, and porthole-style windows evoke the grandeur and elegance of ocean travel in the early 20th century. Rexach’s innovative approach brought modernist architecture to Puerto Rico, and the Normandie Hotel quickly became an iconic symbol of the island’s cultural and architectural heritage.

Hispanic Heritage Month highlights day four. Carlos Raúl Villanueva, a pioneering Venezuelan architect, is renowned for designing the Ciudad Universitaria de Caracas, a UNESCO World Heritage site. His work blends modernist architecture with the tropical landscape, creating a cohesive and vibrant environment. One of his most iconic designs is the Aula Magna, featuring Alexander Calder's acoustic "Clouds" that enhance both sound and visual impact. Villanueva's use of brise-soleils on facades masterfully controls light and airflow, creating dynamic plays of light while improving ventilation. His innovative designs, merging function with art, remain influential in global architecture today.

Hispanic Heritage Month highlights day three. Sophia Hayden, the first woman to graduate from MIT's architecture program, made her mark on history with the design of the Woman's Building at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Amid the grandeur of the fair’s monumental structures, Hayden's building exuded elegance, blending classical proportions with intricate details that celebrated women’s contributions to society. Her design, a harmonious fusion of refinement and strength, became a symbol of progress, not only for architecture but for women’s growing presence in the field.

Hispanic Heritage Month highlights day two. Architect Eduardo Catalano's Raleigh House, built in 1954, is a stunning example of mid-century modern design. Known for its remarkable "floating" roof, the house featured a hyperbolic paraboloid structure that seemed to defy gravity, with its sweeping, curved lines supported by only a few points. This innovative roof not only showcased Catalano's engineering genius but also framed the interior spaces with an airy, open feel, blending nature with the built environment. Though the house was eventually demolished, its legacy lives on as a pioneering achievement in architectural design.

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Schenkel Shultz honors five influential Hispanic architects and engineers who have left an indelible mark on the world of design. Spanning from Mexico to Argentina, their work has shaped the way we experience architecture today. Our first featured architect is Luis Barragán. Luis Barragán (1902–1988) was a renowned Mexican architect known for his minimalist yet poetic approach to design. His work blended modernism with traditional Mexican elements, emphasizing the use of light, color, and space to create rich emotional experiences. Barragán’s own house, Casa Barragán (1948), embodies his design principles, featuring clean geometric forms, vibrant walls in earthy tones, and a deep connection to nature through enclosed gardens and courtyards. He prioritized serenity, privacy, and introspection, making his homes not just living spaces but sanctuaries for the soul.

Our recent recognition at the ASID Florida North Impact Design Awards marks a pivotal moment for Schenkel Shultz, highlighting the exceptional talents of our in-house interiors team. Two of our cherished projects were honored: the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation for Community Impact, and Lake Highland Preparatory School’s Porter Family Center for Innovation & Academics in the Commercial Institution/Education category. Celebrating these accolades alongside stakeholders at the awards gala was a proud moment, reflecting both our commitment to design excellence and our influence in the interiors space.

Schenkel Shultz Completes New Town Center of Middleton THE VILLAGES, FL – September 18, 2024 – Schenkel Shultz, an architectural and interior design studio based in Central Florida, announces the opening of the Town Center Middleton in The Villages this fall. As the centerpiece of the newest ‘Family Village’ concept at The Villages, the mixed-use development integrates education, recreation and retail into a holistic work, live and play environment for residents. Follow the link below to read more.

It was an evening of celebration at the grand opening of Booker High School VPA in Sarasota, a space we proudly designed in collaboration with CORE Construction. Themed "Lighting the Future: Legacy, Artistry, Creativity," the event honored the school’s rich history through heartfelt videos highlighting its legacy, student-led facility tours, and alumni reflections on the program’s lasting impact. Performances from each creative department—vocal, dance, theater, animation, and more—infused the stage with artistry and inspiration. The night concluded with a powerful anthem, the students united under the lyrics, “celebrate, collaborate, radiate,” their passion for the arts shining bright.

Schenkel Shultz has moved to Winter Park. Stay tuned as we settle into our new home and share more updates!