Sanderling Beach Club, Once a Modern Architectural Gem, Obliterated by Hurricane Helene

A beach club in Florida faced complete devastation from Hurricane Helene, following a severe tropical storm of category 4.

On September 27, ArchDaily reported that the Sanderling Beach Club, which comprises beachside buildings built in 1952, was in complete ruins. The modern architecture project was designed by Paul Rudolph, which is now Paul Rudolph Institute of Modern Architecture.

At age 34, architect Paul Rudolph received a commission request from the Sanderling family to design the now Sanderling Beach Club, located on Siesta Key. The family is not a stranger to architectural projects as they have been developing golf courses with unique architectural dessign. In fact, they were the first to create a golf course that will complement the Gulf Coast's environment.

This time, the Sanderling Beach club includes several cabanas that came with curved and barrel-vaulted roofs that looked like ocean waves. The original plan was to feature a concrete patio, a five-single story cabana structure that faces the Gulf and an observatory.

Sanderling Beach Club

According to the Architect's Newspaper, the Sanderling Beach won an international architecture prize from the Museum of Modern Art. Rudolph's architectural design was, then, expanded into renovations, between 1952 and 1960.

Soon, the Sanderling Beach Club included a clubhouse that became a historic site and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1994. Unfortunately, it was completely destroyed by the hurricane overnight.

In the same report, the Paul Rudolph Institute of Modern Architecture stated that other architectural projects within the vicinity are at risk due to the severe weather, including the 1949 Bennett Residence, the 1953 Umbrella Residence and the 1956 Deering Residence.