US Building of the Week
Calvin & Tina Tyler Hall, Morgan State University
Teeple Architects, GWWO Architects
4. aprile 2022
Photo: Nic Lehoux
The large campus of Morgan State, a historically black public university (HBCU) in Baltimore, Maryland, is broken up into five distinct campus zones. Anchoring the Morgan Commons in the center of campus is the new Calvin & Tina Tyler Hall, which was completed in September 2020 but wasn't officially dedicated until October 2021. The architects at Toronto's Teeple Architects answered a few questions about the project that houses student services and administrative support functions.
Location: Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Client: Morgan State University
Design Architect: Teeple Architects
- Design Principal: Stephen Teeple, FRAIC, INT’L ASSOC. AIA
- Senior Design Architect/Manager: Tomer Diamant, OAA
- Project Team: Jason Nelson OAA, Eric Boelling OAA, Nicole Rak, Fadi Salib, Patrick Harvey, Carla Pareja OAA, Eric Oh, Melanie Lo, James Janzer
- Principal in Charge: Alan Reed, FAIA, LEED AP
- Senior Architect: Eric Feiss, AIA, LEEP AP
- Project Manager: Bob Mock, AIA
- Project Team: Jason Hearn, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, David Ritter, Kevin Miller, Ariana Parrish
Structural Engineer: ReStl Designers Inc.
Mechanical Engineer: Mueller Associates
Electrical Engineer, Plumbing & Fire Protection: WFT Engineering
Civil Engineer: Carroll Engineering
LEED Consultant: Sustainable Design Consulting
Landscape Architect: Floura Teeter
Transportation: Symmetra Design
Geotechnical & Site: Navarro & Wright
Acoustics: Acoustical Design Collaborative
Lighting Designer: MCLA
AV, IT & Security: speXsys
Cost: Forella Group
Permit Expeditor: NMP Engineering
Interiors & Signage: PLDA
Contractor: Barton Marlow
Building Area: 141,675 sf
See bottom for Important Manufacturers / Products.
Photo: Nic Lehoux
What were the circumstances of receiving the commission for this project?We received the commission by participating in an RFQ (Request for Qualifications) process with local architect of record, GWWO Architects.
Photo: Nic Lehoux
Please provide an overview of the project.Located on a prominent corner on the front side of the Morgan State University campus, the Calvin and Tina Tyler Hall gathers formerly dispersed administrative and student services under a single roof and establishes an iconic and uplifting "front door" to the university, connecting the campus to the community and students to the services they need, from administration and recruitment, to work-study and financial aid.
Photo: Nic Lehoux
What are the main ideas and inspirations influencing the design of the building?It was our goal to improve the overall student experience by establishing a welcoming entry point and creating an accessible and intuitive flow of student services within one building. This idea is expressed in the dynamic sculptural quality of the building’s stone exterior, and in the interior spaces that guide students toward the central service desk, and ultimately, their destination. A large three-story lobby with views to all services acts as the central organizing element while a wood feature ceiling and a thoughtful use of the university’s colors plays an important role in intuitive wayfinding.
Photo: Nic Lehoux
How does the design respond to the unique qualities of the site?The site is situated at the joint between the university’s historic, neoclassical academic quad and new campus commons. Bridging the original and new campuses, we gave the Tyler Hall a modern, dynamic form to ensure that students see Morgan as a forward-looking institution and clad it in a distinctively dark Eramosa limestone that blends the building in with the campus’ existing stone buildings. The facades are "carved" with deep angled recesses to further connect with the traditional masonry found on the grounds.
Photo: Nic Lehoux
How did the project change between the initial design stage and the completion of the building?The project evolved through careful collaboration with Morgan State University. This includes subtle nuances such as angling the north facade of the building so that it faces directly towards the historic tower of Holmes Hall, the centerpiece of the original academic quad.
Photo: Nic Lehoux
Was the project influenced by any trends in energy-conservation, construction, or design?While the original sustainability target for the project was LEED Silver, we were able to achieve LEED Gold when completed.
Photo: Nic Lehoux
What products or materials have contributed to the success of the completed building?The facade is composed of precast concrete faced with two-inch-thick limestone panels, creating a high-quality exterior skin that relates well to the older adjacent buildings of the existing campus while allowing for a more contemporary architectural expression desired by the university. It also provides excellent energy performance and longevity and was affordable for the client.
Email interview conducted by John Hill.
Photo: Nic Lehoux
Important Manufacturers / Products:- Stone Cladding: Owen Sound Ledgerock LTD.
- ACM Accent Cladding: YKK AP / Zephyr Aluminum LLC
- Curtain Wall & Storefront Glazing: YKK AP / Zephyr Aluminum LLC
- Acoustic Wood Ceilings: EOMAC
- PVB Glass Accent Walls: Vanceva
- Epoxy Terrazzo Flooring: Roman Mosaic & Tile Company
Parti Diagram (Drawing courtesy of the architects)
Level 1 Plan (Drawing courtesy of the architects)
Level 2 Plan (Drawing courtesy of the architects)
Level 3 Plan (Drawing courtesy of the architects)
