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The Baltimore Jewelry Center (BJC) is a not-for-profit communal fabrication and educational space for teaching the technical and artistic foundation of jewelry design as well as a space for local artisans to produce their own work.

Originally housed in a mill complex, BJC was short of the space and infrastructure needed to operate effectively as well as meet modern codes for safety around volatile elements. With cost a major concern for the project, potential spaces were limited to smaller, less expensive options.

In an emerging arts district, an old movie theater/car dealership/check processing facility became the site of choice. Buried in the center of what was originally the theater’s inner shell, we developed a simple, but highly effective plan relative to the demands of the space.

The heart of the space is the open classroom/work area with custom designed benches allowing 36 workspaces. An additional 20 benches in a semi-private area are available for rental by professional artisans. Made from reclaimed wood, each space has individual power and lighting. A large sliding door will divide the classroom space for greater flexibility of usage.

A primary circulation path along an internal façade connects the various zones. The light filled peripheral zoned provides a dramatic entry gallery with custom display areas mounted to the exposed block of the original theater shell. The office is located at the end of the gallery adjacent to the portal into the main spaces allowing for visibility and control of access.

Client

Baltimore Jewelry Center

Location

Baltimore, Maryland

Size

3,596 SF

Program

Community Center for Jewelry Design

Completion

2015

Sector

Educational + Cultural

Historic + Adaptive Reuse

Team

Internal Team: Charles Alexander, Eric Lewis

Design Team: Constantine Commercial Construction, Inc. (Contractor), Henry Adams Consulting Engineers (MEP),

Awards

AIA MD Jury Citation 2017

AIA Baltimore Honorable Mention 2015

As the BJC grows into its new space with enhanced class offerings, special exhibits, and greater access to the surrounding artistic community, it will fulfill its mission of sharing and celebrating the fine art of jewelry making and doing so in a space that is truly its own, operationally clarified and energetically creative.

“The design offers simplicity and restraint for a makers lab.  It has an industrial quality without being too design-y. The furniture and equipment blend really well with the overall aesthetic. Every detail was thought about, like the multi-colored peg board. The display corridor is very nice, as are the color palette and materials. Often these are spaces that are un-designed, and difficult to make look good.”

 2015 AIA Baltimore Excellence in Design Awards Jury