Maryland School for the Blind, Preschool Early Learning and Outreach Renovation/Addition

Baltimore, Maryland

Firm

Marshall Craft Associates, Inc.

Client

Maryland School for the Blind

Area

36,320 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$14,940,190

Completion Date

09/2017

This building provides integrative instruction for children from infancy through 5 years old who are blind or visually impaired, including those with multiple disabilities. The first floor houses the Early Learning Program for Infants & Toddlers as well as students in preschool and kindergarten. The second floor houses the statewide Outreach Services offices, providing programs for students from infancy to age 21, their families, and local school system staff.
The scope of the project included renovating and adding on to a 1955 single-story high school with a two-story wing, and installing a playground. The design transformed an antiquated facility into a safe learning environment that responds to the needs and abilities of specialized students.
Examples of how this was done include providing center-based learning environments that simulate everyday experiences such as going to a grocery store, bank, theater, library, and post office; providing large, flexible open spaces such as a Motor Gym and Multipurpose Room from an original structure composed of small spaces; providing strategically situated large restrooms with lifts and changing stations; accommodating new HVAC infrastructure within very low floor-to-floor heights; creatively manipulating finishes, color and texture to assist with wayfinding; redefining vehicular and pedestrian site circulation to accommodate a variety of mobilities; and providing easy access to the new playground in the lower quadrangle.
This transformative project has been embraced enthusiastically by staff, teachers, students and their families as a facility well suited to serving their unique needs now and into the future.

Additional Information

Cost per Sq Ft

$411.00

Featured in

2018 Educational Interiors Showcase

Category

Renovation

Interior category

Special Needs Interiors

Product suppliers specified

Physical-Education Flooring by Mondo USA
Ceilings by Armstrong World Industries
Ceramic Tile by Crossville
Door Hardware by Corbin Russwin
Emergency Lighting by Corelite Lighting
Emergency Lighting by Finelite
Emergency Lighting by Prudential Lighting
Emergency Lighting by Metalux
Emergency Lighting by Lithonia Lighting
Fire/Life-Safety Systems by SimplexGrinnell
Locks by Corbin Russwin
Card Systems by AMAG
Auditorium/Assembly Furniture by SitOnIt Seating
HVAC Units by Daikin
Whiteboards / Markerboards / Chalkboards by Claridge
Draperies/Blinds by Draper
Carpet by Tandus
Flooring by Johnsonite
Doors by Eggers
Doors by Stanley
Doors by EFCO
Elevators by Otis Elevator
Insulation by Owens Corning
Paint/Wallcoverings by Sherwin-Williams
Plumbing by Elkay
Roofing by Carlisle SynTec
Skylights by VELUX
Windows by Quaker Doors & Windows
Lighting & Accessories by Corelite Lighting
Lighting & Accessories by Finelite
Lighting & Accessories by Prudential Lighting
Lighting & Accessories by Metalux
Lighting & Accessories by Lithonia Lighting
Auditorium/Assembly Furniture by Herman Miller
Cafeteria Furniture by Falcon
Cafeteria Furniture by Community Playthings
Classroom Furniture by Community Playthings
Library/Media Center Furniture by Community Playthings
Library/Media Center Furniture by SitOnIt Seating
Library/Media Center Furniture by Herman Miller
Lounge Furniture by SitOnIt Seating
Lounge Furniture by Herman Miller
Multipurpose Areas Furniture by Community Playthings
Office Furniture by Herman Miller
Science Furniture by Community Playthings
Science Furniture by Magnuson Group
Childcare Furniture by Gressco
Childcare Furniture by Community Playthings
Drinking Fountains by Elkay
Washroom Accessories by Bobrick
Washroom Fixtures by Zurn
Washroom Fixtures by Pressalit
Washroom/Shower Partitions by Global Partitions
Playground Equipment by Playworld Systems
Communications Systems by West Penn
Clocks/Time Management by West Penn
HVAC Control Devices by Siemens Building Technologies
Kitchen Equipment by Continental
Laundry Equipment by Whirlpool
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