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Clifford Scholz

CMSA Architecture: A Lifestyle Approach

By Lalaena Gonzalez-Figueroa

Photography by Chad Spencer

In his firm’s work with custom residences, commercial properties, country club and golf course developments, architect Clifford M. Scholz has remained dedicated to offering distinctive service throughout the design and build process. With a focus on achieving timeless products that reflect careful consideration to their impact on the natural surroundings, Cliff and his design team work to achieve exceptional results on every project they handle.

When clients turn to CMSA Architecture, says Cliff, they can expect to embark upon a journey that will likely extend beyond the business at hand. “The vast majority of our clients end up as friends, people whom we continue to see socially for years,” he reveals. “What we’re doing is much more than just drafting a drawing, more than just a way of designing a house or a building. It’s an extension of that clients’ vision.”

Communicating that vision, notes Cliff, involves cultivating a synergistic relationship with all parties involved in the design and build process. “A successful project involves much more than a great finished product,” he explains. “There is pricing and timing to consider, which means that the homeowner, architect, interior designers, contractor and subcontractors, material suppliers and other professionals involved must work together. And the trademark of a good architect is that he or she can ensure that all of the components involved fit as seamlessly as possible.” Experience, Cliff adds, is what enables him to effectively prioritize throughout each project for maximum results.

The communicative process is also a key element to ensuring that each clients’ wants and needs are met. While Cliff and his team are not defined by a particular style, he observes that there “is something distinctive” about the firm’s work. “We generate proportional drawings that reflect the Classical style of architecture I was raised and mentored on,” he offers. “This may result in the ‘feel’ that our clients consistently refer to when describing our homes. It’s not easy to define; I look at it as good architecture that feels right amongst its surroundings.”

While CMSA Architecture is known for its stunning custom residences throughout the Sarasota area, the firm also enjoys the opportunity to undertake residential renovations, design commercial properties, and work with golf and country club developments. The group has found success beyond Sarasota, frequently working with residential and commercial clients throughout the Southern United States. An active member of the local community, Cliff maintains memberships in a number of organizations including the Florida Gulf Coast Chapter of the American Institute of Architecture, the Chamber of Commerce of Sarasota County, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. In addition to holding LEED AP certification, Cliff is also a Certifying Agent for the Florida Green Building Coalition, and is a Licensed General Contractor in the State of Florida.

The team at CMSA Architecture, which includes Cliff’s longtime professional partner and company vice president Larry W. Hale, is an integral part of the firm’s success. The team is a tight-knit group of talented individuals who share a vision of the collaborative creative process. “Design isn’t just about sitting in a room and coming up with renderings,” says Cliff. “It happens throughout every project. Our goal is always to infuse creativity into a product that works, and that is sustainable.”

After over 35 years in the architecture and construction industries, Cliff reveals that he remains enthusiastic about his profession, and the opportunities and challenges he meets with every project. “Visiting sites and talking to my clients is very stimulating,” he says. “It’s exciting to meet new people, to share in their dreams and visions, and to turn them into realities.” A natural-born problem solver, Cliff looks forward to his future endeavors. “It’s about design opportunities, rather than the size of a project,” he explains. “With so many phenomenal properties in Sarasota alone, I’ll never retire. I enjoy what I’m doing too much to stop!”

Clifford M. Scholz, President
CMSA Architecture
7013 South Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL 34231
Telephone: 941.923.2400
CScholz@cmsa1.com
www.CMSA1.com

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