Baltimore Architecture Foundation

The Baltimore Architecture Foundation (BAF) will present an eight-week series of free forums on a variety of architecture and preservation topics and issues, every Wednesday at noon from October 1 through November 19. Sessions will focus on revitalizing Baltimore’s midtown, responding to foreclosures and homelessness, development and home-sales trends, and more.

Topics and speakers include:

Wednesday, October 1

“Foreclosures and How They Affect Baltimore Families,” Lisa Evans, deputy director, St. Ambrose Housing Aid Center

Wednesday, October 8

“Historic Commission Issues and Initiatives—Landmarking Major Structures,” Tyler Gearhart, chair, Baltimore City Commission on Historical and Architectural Preservation

Wednesday, October 15

“Home Sales in the Baltimore Region—It’s Not as Bad as You Think (or Is It?),” Jody Landers, executive vice president, Greater Baltimore Board of Realtors

Wednesday, October 22

“EDBI Progress Report,” Chris Shea, chief real estate officer, East Baltimore Development, Inc.

Wednesday, October 29

“Goal: Ending Homelessness,” Kevin Lindamood, vice president for External Affairs, Health Care for the Homeless

Wednesday, November 5

“Using Tax Credits to Revitalize Midtown,” Charlie Duff, president, Jubilee Baltimore, Inc.

Wednesday, November 12

“New Director for Center Stage—Does This Mean New Directions?,” Debbi Chinn, managing director, Center Stage

Wednesday, November 19

“New Arena, Old Location!,” Kimberley A. Clark, executive vice president, Baltimore Development Corporation

The BAF’s 2008 Fall Forum Series will be held from noon to 1 p.m. on Wednesdays at the Johns Hopkins University’s Downtown Center (10 N. Charles Street). Each forum will feature a speaker making a 30-minute presentation, followed by a question-and-answer session. The general public is invited to bring lunch and engage in conversation with the speakers and other audience members at these lively sessions. To attend, simply come to the center; no reservations are needed.

Printable Schedule

For more information about the Baltimore Architecture Foundation and its programs, go to www.baltimorearchitecture.org. To join the foundation, call 410-539-7772 or see the BAF website.

The Baltimore Architecture Foundation is hosting two exhibits at AIABaltimore during July and August. In the upstairs gallery and bookstore will be an exhibit titled “Architectural Quick Hand” highlighting the sketchbooks and paintings of a loosely form group of architects and artists that have been meeting regularly to capture the city and its environs. Exhibitors include: Craig Purcell, Ed Love, Stryker Sessions, Stewart White, and Jillian Storms, among others.

In the main gallery downstairs is the exhibit “Joie de Vivre: Capturing the Spirit of People & Place - The Paintings & Pastimes of New York Architect Kevin Campbell White.” Kevin White was a prolific artist and documented the urban landscape around him, filing sketchbooks with depictions of quirky subway riders to colorfully painted travel scenes. He practiced architecture mostly in New York from his office in Brooklyn and died nearly a year ago at the young age of 56. This exhibit is an attempt to honor his legacy.

These shows can be viewed July 1-August 21, 2008 during AIABaltimore’s regular business hours (9am - 4:30pm Monday to Thursday). In addition to the July 13th reception there will be extended viewing hours for First Thursdays, July 3 & August 7, from 5-7pm.

The public is invited to a series of receptions in the Midtown District on Sunday afternoon, July 13, for those with a keen interest in architecture and simplicity of the gestural line.

Starting at the office of Ziger/Snead Architects (1006 Morton St.,) there will be a reception from 3-5pm showcasing a rare display of sketches & design studies by architect Charles Brickbauer, AIA, FAAR . Winner of the Foundation’s 2003 Golden Griffin Award, he has had a notable career of over 50 years in architecture and is one of the true modernists of our day. His projects with Peterson & Brickbauer include such landmarks as Sun Life Insurance Building in Charles Center, Blue Cross Blue Shield in Towson, the passenger terminal at the Baltimore-Washington International Airport, and the USF&G Life Insurance Company Headquarters in Mt. Washington. Projects as design consultant with Ziger/Snead include the Baltimore City Life Museums, the award winning Brown Center for MICA, and Villa I Tatti, Harvard University’s Center for Italian Renaissance Studies. Conceptual sketches from some of these projects will be on view as well as travel sketchbooks of Italy with drawings that encompass both serenity and whimsy.

Then from 3:30-5:30pm, just up the street at the Baltimore Architecture Foundation Headquarters (1016 Morton St.) will be a reception and viewing of the Foundation’s prized architectural renderings, old books, drafting memorabilia, and other acquisitions from retired or departed architects. One will also be able to peruse the HABS/HAER photographs documenting historic buildings in Baltimore.

The final reception will be held from 4-6pm in the AIABaltimore Gallery (11 ½ W. Chase St.) featuring the exhibit “Joie de Vivre: Capturing the Spirit of People & Place - The Paintings & Pastimes of New York Architect Kevin Campbell White” and selections from the exhibit “Architectural Quick Hand“