Henderson-Hopkins School / Rogers Partners

Henderson-Hopkins School / Rogers Partners - Table, ChairHenderson-Hopkins School / Rogers Partners - Image 3 of 18Henderson-Hopkins School / Rogers Partners - GlassHenderson-Hopkins School / Rogers Partners - Image 5 of 18Henderson-Hopkins School / Rogers Partners - More Images+ 13

  • Mep+Fp Engineer: Global Engineering Solutions
  • Data, Av, Voice, Security, Acoustics: Spexsys Llc
  • Food Service: Cini Little
  • Theater: Fisher Dachs Associates
  • Signage Designer: Salestrom Design
  • Construction Manager/Builder: The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company
  • Cost: $53 Million
  • Architects In Charge: Robert M. Rogers
  • Design Leader: Vincent Lee, Vincent Lee, AIA
  • Project Manager: Timothy Fryatt
  • Project Architect: Kip Katich
  • Construction Manager & Builder: The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company
  • City: Baltimore
  • Country: United States
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Henderson-Hopkins School / Rogers Partners - Windows, Facade, Arch
© Albert Vecerka-Esto

Text description provided by the architects. Architecture Inspired by East Baltimore

Rogers Partners' design mirrors the neighborhood's urban fabric. While most elementary schools are single buildings, the Henderson-Hopkins School is a cluster of “containers for learning” inspired by East Baltimore’s row houses, stoops and social civic spaces. Its campus is a microcosm of the city: students are grouped by age in small-scale Houses that are bisected by main streets and side streets. Each House has a Commons for lunching and flexible teaching/learning and a defined outdoor Learning Terrace. This decentralizing strategy promotes individual learning and growth, rare for public education.

Henderson-Hopkins School / Rogers Partners - Table, Chair
© Albert Vecerka-Esto

The building heights are consistent with the surrounding low-rise architecture. Grooved precast concrete on the exterior refers to the “form-stone” typically found throughout Baltimore buildings. The Commons are taller building elements that rise above the low-scale campus, representing education as the center of the community. These vertical elements transform the school into a community landmark, following in the tradition of Baltimore’s church steeples, which stand as social and visual anchors for local neighborhoods.

Henderson-Hopkins School / Rogers Partners - Facade, Windows
© Albert Vecerka-Esto

A Learning Laboratory

The campus’ architecture supports state-of-the-art teaching methods and research.  It facilitates Johns Hopkins’ innovative pedagogy with flexible spaces that can accommodate changing teaching methods. The interior spaces are modular and adaptable to any type of pedagogical program and conform to students’ varying learning abilities, habits and ages. The “Commons” are central multipurpose spaces that provide a home base for nurturing students’ development. Windows everywhere provide optimal sunlight in every building on campus.  Rogers Partners researched national precedents to design these traditional and non-traditional learning spaces that accommodate multiple and spontaneous activities.

Henderson-Hopkins School / Rogers Partners - Glass
© Albert Vecerka-Esto

“This project represents what architecture for education can really be about: enabling students, teachers and community. Our goal was to recover and reimagine an urban fabric rich in opportunity and optimism for East Baltimore and innovate a school concept rooted in the familiar yet ever changing to fulfill a progressive pedagogy,” says Robert M. Rogers, FAIA, principal of Rogers Partners. “In its intentionally porous, safe, urban plan and through the craftsmanship of light, materiality and performance, the design respects history and supports the future of education and of this neighborhood.”

Ground Floor Plan

An Urban Regenerator

The project’s developers, East Baltimore Development, Inc. (EBDI) – a non-profit organization established by community, government, institutional and philanthropic partners – built the school as part of broader efforts to revitalize greater Middle East Baltimore.

Henderson-Hopkins School / Rogers Partners - Windows, Facade
© Albert Vecerka-Esto

“EBDI is committed to revitalizing, re-energizing and rebuilding our communities,” says Christopher Shea, EBDI’s President and CEO.  “We believe that strong neighborhoods are built around strong public schools.  We’re thrilled that Johns Hopkins University has come forward with a model that dovetails with our core principles and that Rogers Partners’ design has helped make it a reality.”

Henderson-Hopkins School / Rogers Partners - Image 3 of 18
© Albert Vecerka-Esto

To promote urban regeneration, in addition to the school and early childcare facilities, the campus incorporates a family health center, a library, an auditorium, and a gym, as shared resources with residents and businesses in the community.

Henderson-Hopkins School / Rogers Partners - Windows, Facade
© Albert Vecerka-Esto

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Project location

Address:2100 Ashland Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA

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Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "Henderson-Hopkins School / Rogers Partners" 20 Mar 2014. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/488203/henderson-hopkins-school-rogers-partners> ISSN 0719-8884

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