September 18 2024

Baltimore Unity Hall Receives 2024 AIA Maryland Excellence in Design Awards

AIA Maryland recently celebrated outstanding architectural achievements at its 2024 Excellence in Design Awards Ceremony, held on September 18 at the Phillip Merrill Environmental Center. This year, Ziger|Snead Architects was recognized when Baltimore Unity Hall was awarded in the Commercial Architecture category.

Baltimore Unity Hall included a complete redevelopment of a vacant union hall in the Bolton Hill Historic District. It now serves as a gathering place and community center for arts, education, and workforce development. The design features the addition of a curtain wall and architectural fins to create a movement of light and shadow across the front of the building with color that draws a connection to the adjacent brownstones. New window openings and skylights increase natural light within the building’s internal reorganization and solar panels contribute to an energy-efficient facility with reduced cost of operations.

The award was determined by the 2024 Excellence in Design Awards Jury, composed of esteemed AIA members from various regions. AIA Maryland continues to promote the architecture profession through education, advocacy, community redevelopment, and public outreach initiatives.