Skip to content

One of the first mass-timber constructions in the region, the Bonnet Springs Event Center offers Lakeland a new destination for connections and community gathering

Event Center at Bonnet Springs Park

Client
Bonnet Springs Park, Inc.
Location
Lakeland, FL
Size
13,947 GSF
Services
Architecture
Additional Services
Ecology
Interior Design
Landscape Architecture
Status
Completed 2022

One of four new cultural destinations featured in Sasaki’s design for Bonnet Springs Park, the Event Center is quickly becoming one of the most popular venues in the rapidly growing region of Lakeland.

Located in the depths of the 168-acre Bonnet Springs Park, the event center features a banquet hall with state-of-the-art facilities set within a large botanic garden thoughtfully integrated with the rest of the park via walking path. The building is sleek and modern with exposed pine wood ceilings and beams offering a rustic and warm experience. In harmony with the landscape, the building welcomes nature inside with a wrap-around glass facade– protected from the sun by large overhangs and wood screens– and a lush garden featuring a water fountain at the building entry.

Marriage of Indoors and Outdoors

Set within the botanic garden, the Event Center offers a complementary experience to the winding paths of the surrounding landscape through its symmetry, linearity, and delicate materiality. Entering from the parking lot, the wood-clad façade peaks over a long coral-stone wall. A long porte-cochere marks the entry to the building and frames the view of the botanic gardens beyond. The outdoor bar and event hall meet in the middle with a striking view of the central water feature and floating gardens.

The clean lines and large overhangs of the event center were inspired by the Florida Modern movement, but effectively transformed from the traditionally stark-white materiality by the softness and warmth of wood. The slatted wood exterior continues into the building lobby and walls of the banquet hall, while the interior finishes correspond to the lush exterior with wood accents and a neutral color palette. The CLT structure is left exposed, showcasing the natural beauty of the material.

Flexible Programming for All Kinds of Events

With a rising population in this up-and-coming city, the Bonnet Springs Event Center offers the community an accessible and beautiful venue for events of all sizes. The 13,947 square foot space is able to host up to 350 people and features an in-house kitchen, an outdoor bar, and an event lawn located off of the main hall. The building is designed to be a beautiful and flexible backdrop for events, featuring a moving wall for a division of space to accommodate two small events or one large event.

For more information contact Fiske Crowell.

Sasaki colorful logo Sasaki 中文