Architecture and Strategy by Office J. Rameau

Jonathan Rameau, 36
1911 Elk Ave., Sarasota

Jonathan Rameau, a Sarasota native, wondered if his younger age might bar him from certain opportunities when he started his firm in 2019. But, he says, “I think that was mostly just my own insecurities. As a small startup, there’s a limit to the number of projects I can take on, but things have been booming and clients usually respect my input time."

After attending Cardinal Mooney, Rameau attended the University of Florida for his bachelor’s in design and urban regional planning. He went on to earn a master’s degree in architecture at the University of Southern California.

Upon graduation, Rameau interned with Donnelly Architecture in Crystal River, a firm specializing in health care, commercial, multi-family and custom residential design. That internship turned into a six-year residency. 

Before he started his Sarasota firm, he says he mostly worked on commercial projects, but has since pivoted to an influx of local clients seeking residential services, too.

One of the projects Rameau is working on is the interior renovation of the historic Leonard Reid house—the 1926 residence of one of the founding members of Sarasota’s African American community—as it undergoes its transformation into the temporary home for the Sarasota African American Art Center and History Museum.

How might you define your style?

"I try best to understand the client's needs. Some architects have a very cohesive style in their work. I'm not all over the place, but I try to perform to their needs and ensure the aesthetics are strong but functional."

What are some of the challenges of owning your own firm?

 "When people size you up, they think their larger project will be too resource-intense, and maybe I can't meet the level of scheduling required. When you have a staff of people, you can almost create an assembly line. If you're known for hotels, you can run that through your system, vs. when you're in a younger stage of your business and carving that out. As the sole owner and architect at my firm, there's a limit to the number and size of projects I can take since it's just me and a periodical intern, but I’m transparent about that from the start."

How might age affect younger architects in the industry?

 “Sometimes it’s about connections.

“The older architects know how to get things through the process. They know the battles they can win by talking with the right person. I know sometimes a developer will go with a more established firm for that reason.”

What trends are you seeing in architecture? 

“A big move toward accessory dwelling units and lots of home additions. People are finding it’s easier to expand the house they live in vs. building from scratch. The biggest thing with renovations is kitchens and bathrooms and bigger closets. Saunas and steam rooms are big, too. The bathroom might be as big as the main bedroom.

"Also the dining room is becoming nonexistent. Instead, [clients] are going for an island kitchen that accommodates both the breakfast and dining space."