Eubie Blake National Jazz Institute & Cultural Center
Baltimore
Cho Benn Holback + Associates

Jazz music provides the rhythm for this cultural center

© David Sundberg / Esto

For more photos click on 'photos & drawings' above. To see the people and products behind this project click on 'people & products.'

Named after and inspired by the life of great Baltimore jazz musician, Eubie Blake, this non-profit cultural center is dedicated to showcasing the work of minority artists and providing classes in music, dance, art, and drama to inner-city residents and public school children. Music is most notably an influence in the illuminated "music wall," based on Eubie Blake's most famous composition "Memories of You." The wall allows donors to support the center through the purchase of musical notes permanently engraved in the glass.

An exercise in peeling away superfluous elements, this cost-conscious renovation reveals the hidden assets of the original structure. The early 20th-century building that the architects renovated and expanded upon had a maze of stairs connecting its seven split floor levels. A renovation in the 1950's left it with low acoustic ceilings and wood paneled corridors.

To create a warm and spacious atmosphere, the architects exposed the existing joists and wood floors, integrated a flexible lighting system, and celebrated two existing elements—the entry archway and primary bearing wall. A new addition, consisting of an elevator, foyer, and stair tower, is located adjacent to the entry lobby. This new core addresses issues of accessibility and efficiently connects the split levels of the front and rear wings. Fiber cement panels, stained cedar siding, and concrete block create a light palette of materials. Glazed areas bring sunshine into the building and emphasize views towards the city.

Location:
Baltimore

Gross square footage:
20,000 sq. ft.

Total construction cost:
$1.7 Million

Owner:
The Eubie Blake Center

Architect:
Cho Benn Holback + Associates
100 N. Charles Street, 14th Floor
Baltimore, MD 21201
T 410-576-0440
F 410-332-8455