Spring Lecture Series 2019 – Edge: Harbor and City
Waterfront Partnership’s Healthy Harbor Initiative has set a goal of a swimmable and fishable Inner Harbor. What could this look like? The 41st annual AIA Baltimore and BAF Spring Lecture Series invites local practitioners and globally recognized designers and scholars to address “the edge”—where the land meets the water—from a variety of perspectives: health and ecology, resiliency in the face of climate change, and social equity.
The lectures will serve as inspiration for a local design competition. Multi-disciplinary teams of architects, landscape architects, and planners are encouraged to submit designs for a project that engages the water’s edge of a future swimmable and fishable Inner Harbor. Projects will be featured in the Baltimore architectural journal T3XTURE and in an exhibit sponsored by AIA Baltimore and the BAF this fall.
The Spring Lecture Series is free to the public. Lectures will be held at Falvey Hall in the MICA Brown Center (1301 W Mt Royal Ave). The goals of the 2019 Lecture Series and parallel design competition are to stimulate a robust discourse among the design professions and the public, promote new and forward thinking design ideas and highlight work by local designers, and encourage diverse disciplines to participate in a cross-disciplinary dialogue focusing on significant issues and solutions specific to Baltimore’s harbor and city edge.
2019 Spring Lecture Series Schedule
Each program offers 1.5 AIA/CES LUs /LA/APA credits
Lectures will be held at Falvey Hall – MICA Brown Center, 1301 West Mount Royal Avenue Baltimore, MD. Each will go from 6:00 – 7:30 pm. Following the lecture, there will be a reception at the Brass Tap located in the Fitzgerald, a short walk from the Brown Center.
Achill Heaven Bridge, Travis Price Architects
March 20: Edge of Edge (VIDEO RECORDING)
Edward S. Casey, PhD, Professor, Stony Brook University
Travis Price, FAIA, Travis Price Architects/Spirit of Place-Spirit of Design, Inc.
Carmera Thomas, Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Moderator: Julio Bermudez, PhD, Professor, School of Architecture and Planning, The Catholic University of America
The first program of the 2019 Spring Lecture Series will initiate the overall dialogue of the series and design competition, and set forth the theme of “the edge” of the harbor and city. Presentations and a moderated panel discussion will address the nature and culture of conditions at the intersection of land, sea, and edge, explored from the perspective of philosophy, architecture, and ecology.
Baltimore Healthy Harbor Initiative and Pilot Projects, Biohabitats
March 27: Engaging the Edge (VIDEO RECORDING)
Kent Bloomer, Bloomer Studio, Yale University
Christopher Streb, Biohabitats
The speakers at this program will discuss the visual and ecological grammar of the edge through means of ornamental and regenerative design. Kent Bloomer will discuss the original identity of ornament, which he argues is still remarkably cogent and useful for designing in today’s world, particularly in the fabric of modern cities. Christopher Streb will discuss his ecological engineering work including projects at the harbor and city edge in Baltimore and strategies that transform the waterfront.
Tide Point, W Architecture & Landscape Architecture LLC
April 24: The Intentional and Unintentional Edge (VIDEO RECORDING)
Daniel Campo, Morgan State University
Barbara Wilks, FAIA, W Architecture & Landscape Architecture LLC
The speakers will discuss design at the harbor and city edge in both planned and unplanned contexts. Daniel Campo will discuss the Baltimore and Brooklyn waterfront and reference his book, The Accidental Playground: Brooklyn Waterfront Narratives of the Undesigned and Unplanned. Barbara Wilks, FAIA, FASLA, Principal at W Architecture and Landscape Architecture, will discuss her firm’s waterfront work in various locations, including Baltimore, which addresses places where city and nature come together and forms new relationships, and how well-designed places can result in more sustainable relationships between ourselves, our communities, and the earth.
The Exbury Egg, PAD Studio
May 1: The Edge of Experience (VIDEO RECORDING)
Roger Tyrrell, CHORA, University of Portsmouth
Katie O’Meara, Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA)
The speakers at this program will address how edges and centers of urban and waterfront spaces take shape through design as well as urban policy and planning. Roger Tyrrell, architect and professor at the University of Portsmouth, will discuss his research, teaching, and design methodology, and particular ways of placemaking through concepts of “permeable thresholds” and “meanwhile” spaces. Katie O’Meara, architect and professor at MICA, will discuss her work and teaching, and new research on planning for social equity and resiliency through design for Baltimore’s waterfront and vacants.
Architectural Boat Tour of Baltimore Harbor and Port
Saturday, May 4 | 4:00 pm | $30
Learn about the architecture of Baltimore’s waterfront by Water Taxi
This one hour tour, presented by the Baltimore Architecture Foundation (BAF) in conjunction with the 2019 AIA Baltimore/BAF Spring Lecture Series, will explore the architecture of Baltimore’s harbor and waterfront by Water Taxi. The tour will be led by architect David Gleason, FAIA, of David H. Gleason Associates Architect and Charlie Duff, President, Jubilee Baltimore.
The event will be held rain or shine. Please be prepared for outdoor conditions. Attendees are welcome to bring drinks and snacks on board.
Spring Lecture Series Movie Night: Global Harbors: A Waterfront Renaissance
Tuesday, May 7 | 6:00 pm | FREE
Beer and popcorn provided. Please join us for the movie and discussion to follow, moderated by Cristina Murphy, Assistant Professor, Morgan State University, School of Architecture and Planning. We’ll be watching “Global Harbors: A Waterfront Renaissance” (Ivy Media/Maryland Public Television, 2008).
Image courtesy G. Edward Johnson (Wikipedia)
Design Conversation #99: Flourish – South Baltimore’s Waterfront
Wednesday, May 8 | 5:30 pm | FREE
2 AIA/CES HSW LUs available
Hosted by Neighborhood Design Center in conjunction with the AIA Baltimore/Baltimore Architecture Foundation’s Spring Lecture Series on ‘Edge: Harbor and City’ and with APA Maryland.
How does the waterfront work for South Baltimore’s neighborhoods? What’s happening on the frontiers of equitable community development?
We’ll talk community development, access, health, and vision on the Middle Branch, and in Curtis Bay and Westport, with Parks & People Foundation, United Workers and the Filbert Street Garden, and the Westport CEDC.
Design Competition
Late Registration Open | Deadline to Submit a Project: May 24
The following question and reflection by Edward S. Casey underlies the theme of our series and design competition:
“What kind of built structure can be created that would figure into the complexion of the Baltimore harbor in an unprecedented way, at once constructive and imaginative? It would at once reflect the unique texture of the harbor and its history and contribute to its evolution in times to come. Such a structure would stand, or float, somewhere between land and sea, perhaps at their very edge or maybe in the midst of the harbor waters. Wherever it is located, and however it is constructed, it will enter into engagement with Land, Sea, and Edge: it will exist as a fourth member of this fateful triad, one that is designed for the very place in which it is set. It will itself be an edge, not of a solid and stolid thing, but of a uniquely configured edge-world…” – Edward S. Casey
The 2019 Lecture Series speakers will reflect on, illustrate, define, and/or re-define Edges and will address the following questions. These will also serve as the prompts for proposals for the design competition to enhance the harbor and city edge in Baltimore:
- If the harbor water is swimmable and fishable, what could the harbor edge look like?
- How can design enhance the connection between the city and harbor?
- What responsibility do we have to the waterfront/harbor edge?
- How can we address spatial equity and create a harbor accessible to all residents of Baltimore?
- How can design solutions address resiliency in Baltimore, considering expanding flood plains and rising sea levels?
- What is the harbor edge in Baltimore? Should it be hard? Soft? Permeable?
- How can design address community engagement and education with harbor clean-up and pollution prevention?
- How can design at the harbor and city edge engage the public while respecting the natural environment?
Read the Design Brief and Call for Entries and Register to Enter a Project
Spring Lecture Series Lunchtime Lectures
The free Lunchtime Lecture Series explores how local firms, design practitioners, and allied organizations are putting the big ideas of the Spring Lecture Series into practice. In the Baltimore Architecture Foundation’s tradition of free brown bag lunchtime presentations, please bring your lunch and join us for this series of lectures. All lectures will take place at the AIA Baltimore Chapter House at 11 1/2 W. Chase St. from 12:00 – 1:00 pm.
April 16 – Port of Baltimore 101
April 18 – A New Paradigm in Landscape Design – Stormwater Ecology
April 30 – Mr. Trash Wheel: The Evolution of a Clean Water Revolution
May 16 – National Aquarium Master Plan
May 23 – Design with Dredge
Related Programs
Organizations across the city regularly host programs addressing the waterfront from a variety of perspectives. We encourage you to check out the following programs in addition to the Spring Lecture Series.
World Water Day Cleanup (Blue Water Baltimore)
Saturday, March 23 | 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Clipper Ship “Stad Amsterdam” in Baltimore (Baltimore-Rotterdam Sister City Committee)
March 28 – April 4
Gwynn Oak Community Clean Up
Saturday, April 6 | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Jones Falls History Signs Community Celebration (Preservation Maryland/Greater Hampden Heritage Alliance/Baltimore Heritage/BAF)
Monday, April 1 | 5:30 – 7:30 pm
Opening Day of Trails (Rails to Trails)
Saturday, April 13
Baltimore Greenways 2019 Bike Ride (AIA Baltimore/BAF)
Saturday, April 27 | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Fells Point Maritime Festival (Fells Point Main Street)
Saturday, April 27
An Evening with your Waterkeeper (Blue Water Baltimore)
Tuesday, April 30 | 5:00 – 7:00 pm
2019 NAEP Conference The Environmental Landscape in the Age of Infrastructure Modernization
May 19 – May 23
Water|Ways Exhibit at the Historical Society of Baltimore County
May 25 – July 6
Oyster Restoration Volunteering (Chesapeake Bay Foundation)
Maryland Oyster Restoration Center at 4800 At Well Road in Shady Side, MD is looking for volunteers on the following dates to build oyster “reef balls.” These are basically concrete structures that serve as oyster habitat. (To register to volunteer at the oyster restoration center please contact David Tana – dtana@cbf.org)
- April 25 – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- April 26 – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- April 27 – 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The oyster restoration center is also accepting volunteers for shell shaking—cleaning oyster shells to be replanted in the Chesapeake Bay—on the following dates/ times: (To register to volunteer at the oyster restoration center please contact David Tana – dtana@cbf.org)
- May 10, 17, 24, 31 – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- June 7, 14, 21, 28 – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- July 19, 26 – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- August 2, 9, 16 – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- September 6 – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
2019 AIA Baltimore and Baltimore Architecture Foundation Spring Lecture Series Sponsorship and Advertising Opportunities
Help us celebrate over 40 years of the AIA Baltimore & Baltimore Architecture Foundation Spring Lecture Series through your sponsorship! Your contribution puts your name in front of hundreds of attendees, and sustains a platform for critical dialogue about design and the built environment. Your support makes it possible for us to keep this program FREE to attend!
View Sponsorship Prospectus
Thank You to Our Generous 2019 Spring Lecture Series Sponsors
Major Sponsors
Capital Sponsors
Lewis Contractors
Visit Baltimore
Corinthian Sponsors
Murphy Dittenhafer Architects
Ionic Sponsors
APA Maryland
BCT Architects
Jerome C Gray, Architect
Kimley-Horn
Morgan Keller Construction
Penza Bailey Architects
Structura, Inc.
Swirnow Building Systems
Doric Sponsors
Anova Furnishings
Biohabitats
Haworth
Maharam
Rohrer Studio
Suzanne Frasier, FAIA
Thank You to Our Annual Sponsors
