DESIGN: READERS CHOICE

FloridaTrend.com would like to thank all the readers who submitted ideas for the "Readers Choice" part of its architecture and design coverage in September. Submissions came from all over the state, in a number of categories. The following are some of the more interesting structures and products that combined a distinctive aesthetic appeal with function.

» Amway Center, Orlando — The city-owned sports and entertainment facility opened in late 2010. The 875,000-sq.-ft. building, home to the Orlando Magic, features a striking combination of metal and glass and a 180-foot tower. It is LEED Gold certified (click to see photo). The center sports the tallest high-definition video board in an NBA venue and some 1,100 video monitors. The building was designed by C.T. Hsu + Associates and Baker Barrios Architects.

» Cradle of Hope — The designers of this patented cradle created it to serve parents and babies living in homeless shelters. The design positions the cradle above a cantilevered base that slides under the parent's bunk. It occupies very little floor space and positions the child immediately next to the parent. Infants in homeless shelters typically must sleep either in a car seat or in the bed with the parent, creating the risk of accidental smothering. Built with all-green materials, the cradle was designed by an alumna of FSU's interior design program, Rachelle McClure, and Sean Coyne, an engineer at the National Magnetic Field Lab at FSU. Find out more, and see a photo, here. Also see a diagram of the cradle.

» The Dali Museum, St. Petersburg — The new home for the largest collection of Salvador Dali's work outside Spain has become an instant icon since it opened on St. Petersburg's waterfront in January. Designed by Yann Weymouth of Hellmuth, Obata + Kassabaum (HOK), the 66,450-sq.-ft. building features distinctive glass structures that flow out of the building toward the water. The artwork is on the third floor of the building, which can withstand 165-mph winds. In the photo at right, galleries wind sensually around spiraling stairs that echo Dali's fascination with the discovery of the double helix. The Dali website is here.

» The Solaris — Miami designer Barry McCarthy created this parabolic structure to provide shade for outdoor activities. It's built from ecologically harvested Colombian timber bamboo and is engineered to handle high winds. A commercial-grade fabric provides the cover. McCarthy, who operates a bamboo design and building company, received a design patent for the Solaris in 2010. Bamboobarry.com

» E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center, Freeport — The center is an educational facility that's part of the 49,000-acre Nokuse Plantation — conservation lands assembled by Walton County businessman M.C. Davis. It includes an exhibit hall, classrooms, science labs and a 160-seat theater. It will also house the Emerald?Coast Wildlife Refuge. The building, which received an AIA Design Award in 2010, was designed by Wallrap Architecture and Interior Design. See photos of the Biophilia Center here.

» Historic Shed, Brooksville — An offshoot of Preservation Resource, a design and consulting firm, Historic Shed builds sheds, garages and other secondary structures that complement historic homes. The products, which meet all building codes, use traditional details and designs and can be customized.

» Sarasota Police Department Headquarters — $1 million worth of construction problems, including a leaky roof, leaky fuel tanks, a loud air conditioning system and doors that won't close have turned the $50-million building into a bit of a headache for the city. Once fixed however, the building is expected to be completely functional, and assume its predicted role as an architectural jewel. Read more at the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. For a photo gallery of the Sarasota Police Headquarters building, click here.

» "Bubble Desk," Shelborne South Beach hotel lobby, Miami — Although it's just one element in the multimillion-dollar renovation of the hotel, the reception desk in the lobby is eye-catching. Comprised of 1,200 backlit acrylic globes, the desk was inspired by Morris Lapidus' MiMo style. Jonathan Cardello, principal of ADD Inc., is the lead architect/designer behind the renovation. Click for a photo of the bubble desk.