Mary E. Rodman Elementary School
- Type: Addition / Renovation
- Size/Area: 81,650
- Owner: Baltimore City Public Schools / Maryland Stadium Authority
- Location: 3510 W. Mulberry
Street, Baltimore, MD 21229
Mary E. Rodman Elementary
School, a three-story educational facility in the City of Baltimore, was in
desperate need of a renovation/addition to reinvigorate its students, teachers
and community. SEI accomplished the monumental task of maintaining the existing
building’s 73,269 SF structure while adding strategic additions totaling 8,381
SF on the limited 1.4 acre site without encroaching on the school’s minimal
play area. Powerful collaboration with the 21st Century School
Buildings Program, Baltimore City Public Schools, Maryland Stadium Authority,
and the local community inspired SEI to create a LEED Silver, three-dimensional
design that seamlessly blended the old with the new, revolutionizing the
facility into an urban next generation learning environment.
A new two-story addition at
the building’s entrance allowed the school to reinvent its image, providing a
welcoming entry that is safe and secure. The building’s main west façade
received horizontal shading fins adding dimension to the exterior planes while
minimizing heat gain.
The public wing was redefined
by creatively converting an existing auditorium to a high volume, impactful
media center; adding a new stage in the cafeteria allowing for adaptability all
hours; and crafting dedicated community spaces near a new secondary entrance
adjacent to the neighboring recreation center. SEI cleverly used a change in
elevation within the public wing of the building to create a gathering space
which not only aids in circulation, but provides a lively, open seating area
for the school and community to congregate with transparent views and access
into the surrounding public spaces.
The instructional wing of the
building was fully renovated and reprogrammed providing next generation
classroom and support spaces with collaborative learning environments sculpted
into the design. Specialty education spaces feature unique views with the
science classroom overlooking the urban landscape and park while the art room
is flooded with ideal north light with views of and direct access to an outdoor
learning environment for projects.
The extremely compact site
with intense topographic changes required an efficient use of the limited site
area. The U-shaped building now cradles a multi-level plaza that is activated
by the spaces it surrounds. An outdoor dining area was created adjacent to the
cafeteria on the main level while a play area is adjacent to the classrooms on
the lowest level. Connecting the two planes is an outdoor amphitheater for
learning and performances.
photography by Lester Escobal
