Exterior of the space at One Charles Center
AIA Baltimore and the Baltimore Architecture Foundation will relocate to One Charles Center with allied design and construction industry organizations to form the Center for Architecture and Design
Baltimore, MD (July 8, 2019) – The Baltimore Chapter of The American Institute of Architects (AIA Baltimore) and the Baltimore Architecture Foundation (BAF) will relocate their Mount Vernon headquarters to establish the Center for Architecture and Design downtown at One Charles Center, a landmark building designed by world-renowned modern architect Mies van der Rohe. The space will be on the retail level with storefront exposure on Fayette Street, and adjacent to Center Plaza.
The Center for Architecture and Design will serve as a high profile and visible space to showcase the important role of architects and design, and as a dynamic hub to engage professionals, students, and the public. The Center will be AIA Baltimore and BAF’s new headquarters, and will provide collaborative administrative and program space for allied professional industry, advocacy, and education organizations, including Baltimore Heritage, Inc., the Baltimore Chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects (Bmore NOMA), the Baltimore Chapter of the Urban Land Institute (ULI Baltimore), the Maryland Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA Maryland), and the Maryland Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA Maryland), as well as other organizations and educational institutions to be announced. The Center will also include flexible program and gallery space, and a small retail space for books on Baltimore architecture.
This is a thrilling sea change for AIA Baltimore and Baltimore City,” said Suzanne Frasier, FAIA, 2019 AIA Baltimore President. “The Center for Architecture and Design will inspire our membership to be part of something larger than ourselves, even larger than our profession, and, with our allied organizations, we will be stronger as a group. The new center will demonstrate that our profession flourishes when its values are exemplified not just in built form, but in other kinds of community engagement, too.”
Lou Kousouris, Executive Vice President of Artemis Properties, the owner One Charles Center, expressed his excitement for the Center for Architecture and Design: “One Charles Center is thrilled to partner with AIA Baltimore, BAF and their affiliated organizations. Their presence will bring a renewed level of vibrancy to the area on par with the design centers of Chicago, DC, Philadelphia and Boston. This historic building is the appropriate hub for architecture and design in Baltimore and will create national awareness for the diverse and impactful buildings that exist throughout our city.”
AIA Baltimore issued a request for qualifications this week to its architect members for the design of the Center for Architecture and Design. AIA Baltimore will then select three firms to participate in a paid design competition with the plan to relocate and open the Center in early 2020. AIA Baltimore plans to sell its current building at 11 ½ W. Chase Street, the headquarters of the organization since 1988.
