city neighbors hamilton (k-8) & city neighbors high school (9-12)
What would it take for every student to be Known, Loved, and Inspired? This design question was used to create a new K-12 campus to house two (2) new public charter schools for six hundred (600) Baltimore City students through innovative renovation of a former public middle school site in the Hamilton Community. Nestled in a 5.4 acre site, the 132,785 NSF renovation over six (6) years, required creative and costeffective solutions to change the message of the building and modernize the existing infrastructure. The transformation included redefining the use of hallways, classrooms and walls, and provided the opportunity to intentionally embed the mission and vision of City Neighbors that led to a unique school culture, impact teaching and learning, supporting community engagement and social relationships, and boost collaboration, independence, and high academic achievement.
Original 4-story building (1931)
Portable Classroom Building (1984)
1931 Building with 2-story addition (1954)
Recreation Center Building (1950’s)
CITY NEIGHBORS HAMILTON (K-8) & CITY NEIGHBORS HIGH SCHOOL (9-12) BALTIMORE, MD CATEGORY: INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE
funding Site Plan & Timeline • toCreate (2) separate school entrances Due funding and two school opening schedules, the construction was phased from 2009-2014: 2009 –renovation Openofas school and add a grade per year • • 2009 – Partial 1954K-3 Building, to open City Neighbors Hamilton toeightyeight K-3 students and subsequently till(88)2014 add a grade per year • • 2010 – Partial renovation of as 1931 Building 2010 – Open Grade 9 school and add a grade per (Ground & 1 floor only) to open City Neighbors High School to ninety-six (96) year till 2013 9 Grade students and subsequently add a grade per year • 2010 - Demolish a condemned portable classroom • 2010 – Demolition of 9,600 SF portable classroom building and reused its building building, avoid Storm Water Management pad to create a new parking lot. Storm Water Management requirement was requirement create new HS entrance & parking avoided and a new entrance to to City Neighbors High School was created. 2010 New ofamphitheater & playground • • 2011 – Partial–renovation 1931 Building (2 & 3 floors only) for the High School creation – of aCommunity new K-8 Play Space • and2014 Garden & LS Parking st
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2012 – Partial renovation of 1954 Building (Fitness & Dance Studio and Gymnasium) 2013 – Renovation of the Recreation Center Building and HVAC upgrade 2014 – Renovation of the historic 1931 Auditorium and Parking Addition
CITY NEIGHBORS HAMILTON (K-8) & CITY NEIGHBORS HIGH SCHOOL (9-12) BALTIMORE, MD CATEGORY: INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE
Design Goal Rooted in the strong belief that the environment is the third teacher, the use of the inviting physical environment and its design are key design elements of City Neighbors schools. School Mission & Vision • Arts Integration • Project-Based Learning • Reggio Emilia inspired • Unique Advisory Pods (High School) • Internship Programs (High School) • Parental Involvement • Community Outreach • A Diverse Public School • A Leader in Baltimore's Education Landscape Building Facts • Total Project Cost: $10.5 Million • Construction Cost: $8.9 Million • 132,785 Total NSF for Grades K-12 • 28,812 NSF for Grades K-8 • 67,026 NSF for Grades 9-12 • 36,947 NSF for shared spaces: Auditorium Gymnasium Fitness & Dance Studio Fabrication Lab
CITY NEIGHBORS HAMILTON (K-8) & CITY NEIGHBORS HIGH SCHOOL (9-12) BALTIMORE, MD CATEGORY: INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE
AFTER
A new K-8 school entrance was created with a secure yet welcoming amphitheater and an exterior stage for outdoor classroom activities and “movies in the park” to send a strong positive message to the community. Plastic-glazed windows were replaced with clear energy-efficient windows for natural daylight. Metal security grilles in the entire campus were also removed to convey a safe community school environment. BEFORE CITY NEIGHBORS HAMILTON (K-8) & CITY NEIGHBORS HIGH SCHOOL (9-12) BALTIMORE, MD CATEGORY: INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE
Collaborative hallways with inviting nooks and curved wood benches were designed with clear glass for passive supervision or tackable surfaces for 2D display. Other display areas for on-going project documentation with gallery lighting are aplenty. Vibrant colors were balanced with rich wood details to add warmth and texture, while the existing glazed walls were incorporated into the new design.
AFTER
BEFORE CITY NEIGHBORS HAMILTON (K-8) & CITY NEIGHBORS HIGH SCHOOL (9-12) BALTIMORE, MD CATEGORY: INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE
AFTER
A former emergency exit corridor was structurally and architecturally modified to create a new entrance lobby for the High School. Adorned with rich wood details, gallery and pendant lighting, exposed ceiling, student pictures and furnished with a mixture of new and upcycled furnishings, it is a welcoming gathering space for impromptu collaborations. The warm and inviting lobby also provides direct visibility to the outside for passive supervision from the school office through clear insulated glassed storefront. BEFORE
CITY NEIGHBORS HAMILTON (K-8) & CITY NEIGHBORS HIGH SCHOOL (9-12) BALTIMORE, MD CATEGORY: INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE
AFTER
As a “home away from home”, these unique advisory pods are socially and academically crucial to the success of the High School where each pod’s members stay together from Freshman to Senior year. Designed for sixteen (16) students and an advisor, each pod houses student lockers and is equipped with a kitchenette. The original 1931 pine flooring was fully restored. With new and upcycled home-like furniture and furnishings that communicate individuality and care, for independent and collaborative work, the physical environment of the pod is comforting and supportive to the students.
BEFORE
CITY NEIGHBORS HAMILTON (K-8) & CITY NEIGHBORS HIGH SCHOOL (9-12) BALTIMORE, MD CATEGORY: INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE
A former roller skate hall in the Recreation Center Building AFTER was transformed into three (3) flexible classroom sizes with movable glass walls to house: a small pod for sixteen (16) students, a medium classroom for twenty-four (24) students and a large versatile classroom for up to one hundred (100) students with a new podium, stage, arched bulkhead and columns, as well as mobile folding tables and stackable chairs. Original maple flooring was restored, and upcycled historic newel posts were incorporated into codecompliant railing. It featured energy-efficient lighting with occupancy sensors, upgraded HVAC and a new elevator. BEFORE
CITY NEIGHBORS HAMILTON (K-8) & CITY NEIGHBORS HIGH SCHOOL (9-12) BALTIMORE, MD CATEGORY: INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE
High School students were engaged to design their Café before it opened in 2010. Enhanced by student pop arts, the casual dining showcases a piano lounge and offers a variety of seating styles, with new and upcycled fixtures and furnishings. Exterior steel doors were replaced with full lite aluminum doors for natural daylighting and to encourage students to dine and socialize at the adjacent outdoor patio. The fully air-conditioned Café also serves as a classroom extension and hosts fundraising as well as community events for (100) people.
AFTER
BEFORE
CITY NEIGHBORS HAMILTON (K-8) & CITY NEIGHBORS HIGH SCHOOL (9-12) BALTIMORE, MD CATEGORY: INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE
The modernization of the 1931 auditorium included a state-of-theart sound system and a BG&E Rebate Program for energy-efficient stage and house lighting with dimming capability. At the balcony, original wood theater seats and backs with cast iron standards were refurbished. Wood and plaster architectural details were restored and thoughtfully balanced with contemporary finishes. The coffered ceiling look was simply achieved through strategic paint placement on flat surfaces to give this auditorium the dignity that it deserves.
AFTER
BEFORE CITY NEIGHBORS HAMILTON (K-8) & CITY NEIGHBORS HIGH SCHOOL (9-12) BALTIMORE, MD CATEGORY: INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE
Original 4-story building (1931)
Portable Classroom Building (1984)
1931 Building with 2-story addition (1954)
Recreation Center Building (1950’s)
CITY NEIGHBORS HAMILTON (K-8) & CITY NEIGHBORS HIGH SCHOOL (9-12) BALTIMORE, MD CATEGORY: INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE
funding Site Plan & Timeline • toCreate (2) separate school entrances Due funding and two school opening schedules, the construction was phased from 2009-2014: 2009 –renovation Openofas school and add a grade per year • • 2009 – Partial 1954K-3 Building, to open City Neighbors Hamilton toeightyeight K-3 students and subsequently till(88)2014 add a grade per year • • 2010 – Partial renovation of as 1931 Building 2010 – Open Grade 9 school and add a grade per (Ground & 1 floor only) to open City Neighbors High School to ninety-six (96) year till 2013 9 Grade students and subsequently add a grade per year • 2010 - Demolish a condemned portable classroom • 2010 – Demolition of 9,600 SF portable classroom building and reused its building building, avoid Storm Water Management pad to create a new parking lot. Storm Water Management requirement was requirement create new HS entrance & parking avoided and a new entrance to to City Neighbors High School was created. 2010 New ofamphitheater & playground • • 2011 – Partial–renovation 1931 Building (2 & 3 floors only) for the High School creation – of aCommunity new K-8 Play Space • and2014 Garden & LS Parking st
th
nd
• • •
rd
2012 – Partial renovation of 1954 Building (Fitness & Dance Studio and Gymnasium) 2013 – Renovation of the Recreation Center Building and HVAC upgrade 2014 – Renovation of the historic 1931 Auditorium and Parking Addition
CITY NEIGHBORS HAMILTON (K-8) & CITY NEIGHBORS HIGH SCHOOL (9-12) BALTIMORE, MD CATEGORY: INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE
Design Goal Rooted in the strong belief that the environment is the third teacher, the use of the inviting physical environment and its design are key design elements of City Neighbors schools. School Mission & Vision • Arts Integration • Project-Based Learning • Reggio Emilia inspired • Unique Advisory Pods (High School) • Internship Programs (High School) • Parental Involvement • Community Outreach • A Diverse Public School • A Leader in Baltimore's Education Landscape Building Facts • Total Project Cost: $10.5 Million • Construction Cost: $8.9 Million • 132,785 Total NSF for Grades K-12 • 28,812 NSF for Grades K-8 • 67,026 NSF for Grades 9-12 • 36,947 NSF for shared spaces: Auditorium Gymnasium Fitness & Dance Studio Fabrication Lab
CITY NEIGHBORS HAMILTON (K-8) & CITY NEIGHBORS HIGH SCHOOL (9-12) BALTIMORE, MD CATEGORY: INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE
AFTER
A new K-8 school entrance was created with a secure yet welcoming amphitheater and an exterior stage for outdoor classroom activities and “movies in the park” to send a strong positive message to the community. Plastic-glazed windows were replaced with clear energy-efficient windows for natural daylight. Metal security grilles in the entire campus were also removed to convey a safe community school environment. BEFORE CITY NEIGHBORS HAMILTON (K-8) & CITY NEIGHBORS HIGH SCHOOL (9-12) BALTIMORE, MD CATEGORY: INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE
Collaborative hallways with inviting nooks and curved wood benches were designed with clear glass for passive supervision or tackable surfaces for 2D display. Other display areas for on-going project documentation with gallery lighting are aplenty. Vibrant colors were balanced with rich wood details to add warmth and texture, while the existing glazed walls were incorporated into the new design.
AFTER
BEFORE CITY NEIGHBORS HAMILTON (K-8) & CITY NEIGHBORS HIGH SCHOOL (9-12) BALTIMORE, MD CATEGORY: INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE
AFTER
A former emergency exit corridor was structurally and architecturally modified to create a new entrance lobby for the High School. Adorned with rich wood details, gallery and pendant lighting, exposed ceiling, student pictures and furnished with a mixture of new and upcycled furnishings, it is a welcoming gathering space for impromptu collaborations. The warm and inviting lobby also provides direct visibility to the outside for passive supervision from the school office through clear insulated glassed storefront. BEFORE
CITY NEIGHBORS HAMILTON (K-8) & CITY NEIGHBORS HIGH SCHOOL (9-12) BALTIMORE, MD CATEGORY: INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE
AFTER
As a “home away from home”, these unique advisory pods are socially and academically crucial to the success of the High School where each pod’s members stay together from Freshman to Senior year. Designed for sixteen (16) students and an advisor, each pod houses student lockers and is equipped with a kitchenette. The original 1931 pine flooring was fully restored. With new and upcycled home-like furniture and furnishings that communicate individuality and care, for independent and collaborative work, the physical environment of the pod is comforting and supportive to the students.
BEFORE
CITY NEIGHBORS HAMILTON (K-8) & CITY NEIGHBORS HIGH SCHOOL (9-12) BALTIMORE, MD CATEGORY: INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE
A former roller skate hall in the Recreation Center Building AFTER was transformed into three (3) flexible classroom sizes with movable glass walls to house: a small pod for sixteen (16) students, a medium classroom for twenty-four (24) students and a large versatile classroom for up to one hundred (100) students with a new podium, stage, arched bulkhead and columns, as well as mobile folding tables and stackable chairs. Original maple flooring was restored, and upcycled historic newel posts were incorporated into codecompliant railing. It featured energy-efficient lighting with occupancy sensors, upgraded HVAC and a new elevator. BEFORE
CITY NEIGHBORS HAMILTON (K-8) & CITY NEIGHBORS HIGH SCHOOL (9-12) BALTIMORE, MD CATEGORY: INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE
High School students were engaged to design their Café before it opened in 2010. Enhanced by student pop arts, the casual dining showcases a piano lounge and offers a variety of seating styles, with new and upcycled fixtures and furnishings. Exterior steel doors were replaced with full lite aluminum doors for natural daylighting and to encourage students to dine and socialize at the adjacent outdoor patio. The fully air-conditioned Café also serves as a classroom extension and hosts fundraising as well as community events for (100) people.
AFTER
BEFORE
CITY NEIGHBORS HAMILTON (K-8) & CITY NEIGHBORS HIGH SCHOOL (9-12) BALTIMORE, MD CATEGORY: INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE
The modernization of the 1931 auditorium included a state-of-theart sound system and a BG&E Rebate Program for energy-efficient stage and house lighting with dimming capability. At the balcony, original wood theater seats and backs with cast iron standards were refurbished. Wood and plaster architectural details were restored and thoughtfully balanced with contemporary finishes. The coffered ceiling look was simply achieved through strategic paint placement on flat surfaces to give this auditorium the dignity that it deserves.
AFTER
BEFORE CITY NEIGHBORS HAMILTON (K-8) & CITY NEIGHBORS HIGH SCHOOL (9-12) BALTIMORE, MD CATEGORY: INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE
