Contract - November 2014 - 77

photography: david matthiessen (exterior); brad feinknopf (opposite)

University of Baltimore

Angelos
Law Center
Behnisch Architekten defies preconceptions
of law school design with a building
that reflects aspirations

By JoAnn Greco
Photography
by Brad Feinknopf
and David
Matthiessen

F

rom innovative sustainable building systems to unique
programmatic organization, custom lighting, and interior
furnishings, Behnisch Architekten has demonstrated how
architects can comprehensively create a modern law school in
the design of the John & Frances Angelos Law Center at the University
of Baltimore. The building, which was one of the American Institute of
Architects (AIA) COTE Top Ten projects for 2014, has captured
numerous architecture and design awards since opening.
The building's three volumes each have unique fenestration
to reflect the distinct programs they house: classrooms, library, and
administration and faculty offices. The volumes surround the interior
focal point: a light-filled, 12-story central atrium that promotes airflow
and reduces the need for active heating and cooling, and contributes
to the building's LEED Platinum certification.
This is the first higher education building in the U.S. designed by
Behnisch Architekten, known for its high level of sustainable design.
Behnisch, with offices in Stuttgart and Munich, Germany, and Boston,
partnered with project architects Ayers Saint Gross of Baltimore.
Located across from the city's Penn Station on a wedge-shaped slice
of university-owned land that was previously a surface parking lot, the
192,000-square-foot Angelos Law Center stands out as the first large
building train travelers see when they step out of the station.
"It's deceptive from the outside," says Neb Sertsu, vice president
of the school's Office of Facilities Management and Capital Planning.

"People are always surprised by how large the building turns out
to be-there are so many hidden aspects."
programmatic elements wrap a central atrium
Beyond the entrance, the center's knockout feature quickly becomes
apparent. "Because of the unusual shape of the site, we wound up with
a rather wide floor plate," says Behnisch Architekten Principal Stefan
Behnisch, "So we created an atrium all the way through the middle
that effectively cuts the building in half, with every level connected
by stairs and bridges."
As visitors ascend through the building, they take in views
that are alternately truncated and expansive. Most of the offices and
classrooms are arranged along the periphery and receive natural
light from both the exterior windows as well as the atrium, which
is topped with a 600-square-foot skylight. Regular building
users, including 1,000-plus students and about 150 faculty and
administrators, enjoy the natural light and the variety of public spaces,
such as terraces with water features and sweeping city views, two
cafes, and meeting areas.
The programmatic elements of the building wrap the atrium in
interlocking L-shapes. Classrooms and faculty offices on the west side
alternate by floor to encourage chance interaction between those
populations. The second through fourth floors of the east side house
the school's legal clinics, where students and faculty provide legal
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Contract - November 2014

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