Ayers/Saint/Gross
Baltimore, MD

With an expanding practice and staff, Ayers/Saint/Gross needed to expand its offices. A primary goal for the expansion and relocation was to secure a space that would bring the firm together on one floor to reinfoce the collegial nature of our practice. A local developer had initiated the renovation of an industrial complex on the south side of Baltimore's Inner Harbor in an area called Locust Point. Ayers/Saint/Gross was the first tenant to commit to the location. We chose a large open structure that would accommodate the architects, landscape architects, renderers, interior designers and planners on the primary floor. However, in order to do this, we expanded the footprint of the building to include the former railroad trestle. Previously an outdoor space, the trestle now houses offices below and an exterior roof terrace above. A handicap lift provides access to the floor under the trestle and to the mezzanine. Support spaces and administrative staff occupy the mezzanine.

In keeping with our open office philosophy, only two offices (for financial records and information technology equipment/support) are fully enclosed with a locking door. Two conference rooms are also fully enclosed. The remaining open floor plan has improved the way in which members of the firm work together.

Ayers/Saint/Gross designed the fit-out and provided its own interior design servicest. Groups of four desks are located within the structural grid, with circulation to open offices along both edges. The views to the harbor are available to everyone. To create a warm, inviting atmosphere, the existing brick walls were left exposed, desks were built of wheat board with maple hardwood edgebands, a warm color carpet was chosen and the exposed structure at the ceiling was painted a warm creamy color. The project won three awards upon completion.

Completion: 1997
Size: 28,000 GSF
Cost: $3,828,000