| AIA Maryland Honors MICA Gateway |
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MICUA Matters Fall 2009
Here's what the AIA Maryland jurors had to say about the Gateway: “architecture of an international standard;” “dynamic and active courtyard;” “touches the ground well;” “creates a sense of artistic community, a modern cloister;” “very sophisticated façade;” and “extraordinary.” |
On September 9, the Maryland State Component of the American Institute of Architects (AIA Maryland) presented Maryland Institute College of Art with an Honor Award for excellence in design of the Gateway, a mixed-use residential building that opened in August 2008 at 1601 W. Mount Royal Ave. The building was designed by Baltimore-based international architectural firm RTKL, which kicked off the process in November 2004 with a young designers competition for its annual firm-wide design conference. Conceived by young architects for use by young artists and designers, the Gateway is a dynamic facility combining residence life, professional development, and student life programming. The project was supported by $3 million in State capital funds during the 2007 legislative session.
The Gateway’s unusual design, which includes a drum-shaped, multi-colored glass, concrete, and steel residence wing and a translucent glass studio/residential tower, continues MICA’s commitment to design excellence on a campus that combines new construction with adaptive re-use of historic structures. It is the first major architectural landmark visible when entering Baltimore from the north on Interstate 83. With its landscaped public plaza, the Gateway creates a dramatic northern entrance to Baltimore’s Mount Royal Cultural District and is the northernmost anchor for MICA's campus.