This lecture examines the rich architectural history and town planning principles of the downtown area of Bar Harbor, located on Mount Desert Island. RAMSA Partner Sargent Gardiner will discuss the major stages of development and how the Jesup Memorial Library’s original building fits into the evolution of the social and physical fabric of the town. The objective is to identify the breadth of town planning characteristics of Bar Harbor and illustrate how these strategies can be applied in modern architectural practice. RAMSA’s Pratt Landing project in New Rochelle will be used to demonstrate the correlation between Bar Harbor’s historic lessons and modern urban design projects.

Sargent Gardiner, AIA, is a partner at RAMSA whose work bridges architecture, urban design, and landscape. He leads mixed-use developments, residential towers, and master plans that respond to local context and the natural environment. His interdisciplinary background in landscape, urban design, and architecture, informs a holistic approach, integrating interior and exterior environments while considering community impact. Sarge’s leadership helps RAMSA navigate complex approvals and site constraints with clarity and precision.

Sarge’s projects include the 55-acre master plan for The Yards in Washington, D.C., and The Arris, a LEED-Gold building inspired by nearby industrial architecture. In Philadelphia, he designed The Alexander, a large-scale infill project with a residential tower, townhouses, and public spaces. In New York, he contributed to the restoration of the historic Belnord and the design of Claremont Hall, a mixed-use tower within a historic Gothic Revival campus. He recently completed a sustainable assisted living facility in Brookline, Massachusetts and is currently designing Pratt Landing, an 11.5-acre mixed-use development on the shores of New Rochelle, New York.

Sarge is active in architectural research and advocacy, serving on the National Building Museum board, contributing to the Regional Plan Association, and participating in Urban Land Institute forums.