US Lacrosse
National Lacrosse Center
Baltimore, MD

Completion: 2011
Size: 40,000 gsf (building)
6 Acres (park)
Cost: $25,000,000

To accommodate the rapid growth of their organization and the sport itself, U.S. Lacrosse retained Ayers/Saint/Gross to study the relocation of their facilities to the Inner Harbor of Baltimore. The study included site analysis, a master plan, and the development of a building design at a conceptual level. The primary focus of the study was the integration of the proposed building and amenities within a flexible and inviting park-like open space.

The National Lacrosse Center program includes office space for the administration of US Lacrosse, a museum and hall of fame. The conceptual building organization locates public uses at the street level while making the most of the dramatic site within the park and along the Baltimore waterfront. The building acts as an entry to the open space while creating an interesting and beautiful edge to the park.

The integration of the National Lacrosse Center with the open space occurs on many levels. The entry to the building is located under a dramatic cantilever creating a protected public space that allows framed views of the park, field and harbor. The museum, hall of fame and special events space are located within the cantilever that provides visitors with incredible, unrestricted views of the park, the harbor and the city.