ABSTRACT 
 
 
 
 
Title of Document: Layers of Connection: Re-Stitching Riverside 
and Locust Point together.  
  
 William Story, Masters of Architecture, 2006 
Directed By: Steven Hurtt, Professor, School of Architecture 
 
 
This thesis proposes the intervening of different layers of connections which 
link together the neighborhoods on the South Baltimore peninsula.  The industries on 
the peninsula, which gave reason for being to the neighborhoods, have disrupted the 
community fabric and destroyed the connections between the neighborhoods and the 
waterfront.  The use of greenways, tram lines, pedestrian pathways, and zones of 
activity will reduce the amount of vehicular traffic within the neighborhoods and will 
provide stronger, more continuous connection that unites the peninsula together with 
the waterfront and other amenities throughout Baltimore.  
This thesis investigates in detail the layers of connection which influence the 
re-knitting of the urban fabric of Locust Point and Riverside.  These layers all come 
together at the seam between the two neighborhoods. This seam is composed of 
Southside Market Place, Lawrence St. and a waterfront brown field. This site is 
transformed into a mixed-use retail development surrounding a series of open spaces. 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
CONNECTING NEIGHBHORHOODS; THE RE-DEVELOPMENT OF 
SOUTHSIDE MARKET PLACE, BALTIMORE.    
 
 
 
By 
 
 
William L. Story 
 
 
 
 
 
Thesis submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School of the  
University of Maryland, College Park, in partial fulfillment 
of the requirements for the degree of 
Master of Architecture 
2006 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Advisory Committee: 
Professor Steven Hurtt, Chair 
Professor of Practice Gary Bowden, FAIA 
Associate Professor Brian Kelly, AIA 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
? Copyright by 
William L. Story 
2006 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ii 
 
Dedication 
I would like to dedicate this thesis to my family, with out their support none of this 
would have been possible.  And to Lindsay Harmon, whose unselfish support and 
confidence in me over the last year, gave me strength to finish.  I love you all.  
 
 iii 
 
Acknowledgements 
I would like to thank my fellow studio mates that have helped me out through the last 
two years. I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors.  
 
A special thanks to those who helped me in the end and to Steve Hurtt, Brian Kelly, 
Gary Bowden, Chris Rice, and Thomas Schumacher 
 
 iv 
 
Table of Contents 
 
Dedication.................................................................................................. ii 
Acknowledgements...................................................................................iii 
Table of Contents...................................................................................... iv 
List of Figures............................................................................................ v 
Chapter 1: Introduction.............................................................................. 1 
Chapter 2: Current Projects ....................................................................... 5 
Baltimore Comprehensive Plan ................................................................................ 5 
Revitalization of Key Highway ................................................................................ 8 
Comprehensive Plan: Locust Point......................................................................... 10 
Chapter 3: Site ......................................................................................... 12 
History..................................................................................................................... 12 
Urban Context......................................................................................................... 13 
Neighborhood Context............................................................................................ 18 
Site Analysis ........................................................................................................... 32 
Chapter 4: Precedent Analysis................................................................. 45 
Urban Strategy Precedents...................................................................................... 45 
Program Precedents ................................................................................................ 59 
Chapter 5:  Design Analysis .................................................................... 65 
Design Goals........................................................................................................... 65 
Special Consideration ............................................................................................. 67 
Chapter 6:  Program................................................................................. 70 
Development Concept............................................................................................. 70 
Program Elements................................................................................................... 71 
Program Tabulations............................................................................................... 73 
Chapter 7:  Design Approach .................................................................. 75 
Connections Parti.................................................................................................... 75 
Framework Plan...................................................................................................... 81 
Site Parti.................................................................................................................. 83 
Building Parti.......................................................................................................... 85 
Chapter 8:  Design Solution..................................................................... 88 
Urban Fabric ........................................................................................................... 88 
Urban Space............................................................................................................ 96 
Urban Fa?ade ........................................................................................................ 106 
Chapter 9:  Conclusion .......................................................................... 113 
Bibliography .......................................................................................... 114 
Text ....................................................................................................................... 114 
Photos.................................................................................................................... 115 
 
 v 
 
 
List of Figures 
Figure 1 Photo looking towards Locust Point and the Domino Sugar factory. ............ 1 
Figure 2 Thesis Site  ?Kit of Parts? Scales 1:100,1:200,1:400,1:600........................... 4 
Figure 3 Diagram of the two Department of Planning Projects.................................... 7 
Figure 4 Key Highway is 105? wide............................................................................. 8 
Figure 5  Recent Residential development.  . ............................................................... 9 
Figure 6.  Map of South Baltimore peninsula............................................................. 13 
Figure 7  Neighborhood diagram of South Baltimore peninsula................................ 14 
Figure 8.  Figure Ground map of South Baltimore Peninsula. 1:500 ......................... 14 
Figure 9.  Green space network on the peninsula.  .................................................... 15 
Figure 10 Major street network of Baltimore. ............................................................ 15 
Figure 11 Major traffic artery through the peninsula.................................................. 16 
Figure 12  Major Highway system through Baltimore ............................................... 16 
Figure 13  Rail system through Baltimore.................................................................. 17 
Figure 14  Water taxi stop diagram............................................................................. 17 
Figure 15  Map of Surrounding Neighborhoods  1:400.............................................. 18 
Figure 16 Neighborhood Diagram.............................................................................. 19 
Figure 17 Figure Ground ............................................................................................ 19 
Figure 18  Figure Ground of Fort Ave, as link between Riverside and Locust Point. 20 
Figure 19 Figure Ground of Industrial Buildings. ...................................................... 20 
Figure 20 Aerial Photo of Riverside ........................................................................... 21 
Figure 21 Photos (left) typical row house   (right) riverside park .............................. 22 
Figure 22  Diagram.  Riverside grid blending in with surrounding context............... 22 
Figure 23 Neighborhood Statistical Area: Riverside.................................................. 23 
Figure 24 Aerial photo of Locust Point and ?Industrial Island?................................. 24 
Figure 25.  Neighborhood Statistical Area: Locust Point.  ........................................ 25 
Figure 26 Diagram ...................................................................................................... 26 
Figure 27 Diagram ...................................................................................................... 26 
Figure 28 Zoning Map of Riverside, Key Highway and Locust Point ....................... 28 
Figure 29  Historical Map........................................................................................... 29 
Figure 30 Diagram.  Historical grid superimposed on existing fabric........................ 29 
Figure 31 Diagram showing access from the neighborhoods to the site .................... 30 
Figure 32 Photos.  (left) connection to Riverside Park  (right) connection to LP ...... 30 
Figure 33 Five minute walking radius. 1:400 ............................................................. 31 
Figure 34 Aerial of Southside Market Place............................................................... 32 
Figure 35  Site Figure Ground 1:200 .......................................................................... 32 
Figure 36 Site layout comparison.  1:200 ................................................................... 33 
Figure 37 Site Diagram for Dimensions and Program................................................ 34 
Figure 38 Tables  (left) site dimensions (right) site program ..................................... 34 
Figure 39 Photo.  View of architectural character of strip mall.................................. 35 
Figure 40 Photo.  View of Grocery Store ................................................................... 35 
 
 vi 
 
Figure 41 Locator Map ............................................................................................... 35 
Figure 42 Topography Map of Site 1:300................................................................... 36 
Figure 43 Topography Map with context 1:300 ......................................................... 36 
Figure 44 View Corridor Diagram.  ........................................................................... 37 
Figure 45 Photo.  View towards waterfront................................................................ 38 
Figure 46 Photo. View of Domino Sugar sign............................................................ 38 
Figure 47 Locator Map ............................................................................................... 38 
Figure 48 Photo.  Pedestrian Gateway into the site. ................................................... 39 
Figure 49 Photo. Pedestrian plaza............................................................................... 39 
Figure 50 Locator Map ............................................................................................... 39 
Figure 51 Photo.  Front/back condition on the west side of the site........................... 40 
Figure 52 Photo.  Alley way condition on the east side of the site............................. 40 
Figure 53 Locator Map ............................................................................................... 40 
Figure 54 Photo.  Looking south from the entrance. .................................................. 41 
Figure 55 Photo. Looking north into the space........................................................... 41 
Figure 56 Locator Map ............................................................................................... 41 
Figure 57 Photo.  Museum of Industry ....................................................................... 42 
Figure 58 Photo of waterfront..................................................................................... 42 
Figure 59 Locator Map ............................................................................................... 42 
Figure 60 Photo. Looking south toward entrance to site. ........................................... 43 
Figure 61 Photo. Looking west along Key Highway.................................................. 43 
Figure 62 Locator Map ............................................................................................... 43 
Figure 63 Photo.  View of Fort Ave crossing over Key Highway.............................. 44 
Figure 64 Photo. View of Key Highway carving through the topography................. 44 
Figure 65 Locator Map ............................................................................................... 44 
Figure 66 Photo (left) aerial photo of building spine  (right) Site Plan ...................... 45 
Figure 67 Romerberg, Frankfurt after WWII ............................................................. 46 
Figure 68  Medieval city figure ground ...................................................................... 47 
Figure 69 Modern city figure ground.......................................................................... 47 
Figure 70 Section and Parti......................................................................................... 48 
Figure 71  Street comparison. .................................................................................... 48 
Figure 72  Medieval re-construction.  ........................................................................ 48 
Figure 73 Street network comparison.  ...................................................................... 49 
Figure 74  Scale comparison.  .................................................................................... 49 
Figure 75  Aerial Photo of Piazza della Signoria and the Uffizi Place (P2)............... 51 
Figure 76 Parts of a whole .......................................................................................... 52 
Figure 77 Piazza della Signoria .................................................................................. 52 
Figure 78  Piazza della Signoria ................................................................................. 53 
Figure 79  Public space and Semi-Public space.......................................................... 53 
Figure 80 Parti of compound spaces........................................................................... 54 
Figure 81 Aerial View of the shaft.  Courtesy of Design of  Cities............................ 55 
Figure 82 Figure ground of the renaissance and medieval parts of Nancy.  .............. 56 
Figure 83 Organizational diagram of the squares....................................................... 56 
Figure 84 Axon ........................................................................................................... 57 
Figure 85  Heroic and supporting elements that help to define the unique squares. .. 57 
Figure 86 Aerial photo of site ..................................................................................... 59 
 
 vii 
 
Figure 87 Photo (left) Market Commons (right) Urban Plaza.................................... 59 
Figure 88 Diagrams (left) program (right) transition zones........................................ 61 
Figure 89 (left) Main Street Diagram (right) Photo of Clarendon Blvd..................... 62 
Figure 90 (left) Urban Plaza Diagram (right) Photo of Urban Plaza.  ....................... 62 
Figure 91 (left) Park Diagram (right) Photo of Town House around Public Park...... 62 
Figure 92Site Section.  ............................................................................................... 63 
Figure 93 Proposed Tram system.  T.......................................................................... 75 
Figure 94 Proposed Greenway.  ................................................................................. 76 
Figure 95.  Proposed street connection.  .................................................................... 76 
Figure 96. Layers of connections................................................................................ 77 
Figure 97.Precinct plan.  . ........................................................................................... 80 
Figure 98 Intersections and Connections Points.  ...................................................... 80 
Figure 99 Existing figure ground.  1:400.................................................................... 81 
Figure 100 Scheme A.  Proposed figure ground. 1:400.............................................. 81 
Figure 101 Scheme B.  Proposed figure ground. 1:400.............................................. 82 
Figure 102 Scheme C. Proposed figure ground. 1:400............................................... 82 
Figure 103 Existing figure ground.  1:200.................................................................. 83 
Figure 104 Scheme A. 1:200.  ................................................................................... 83 
Figure 105. Scheme B. 1:200.  ................................................................................... 84 
Figure 106 Scheme C. 1:200....................................................................................... 84 
Figure 107 Existing figure ground. 1:100................................................................... 85 
Figure 108 Scheme A. 1:100. ..................................................................................... 85 
Figure 109 Scheme B. 1:100.  .................................................................................... 86 
Figure 110. Scheme C. 1:100...................................................................................... 86 
Figure 111  South Baltimore Peninsula Locator Map ................................................ 90 
Figure 112  Southside Master Plan with green connections....................................... 91 
Figure 113  Figure ground highlighting fragmented landscape.................................. 92 
Figure 114  Land-use diagram.  ................................................................................. 92 
Figure 115 Existing aerial of site.  ............................................................................. 93 
Figure 116 Master plan aerial. .................................................................................... 93 
Figure 117 View of Fort Ave existing.. ...................................................................... 94 
Figure 118 View of Fort Ave proposed.  . .................................................................. 94 
Figure 119 View of Southside Market Place, Lawrence Street, and water front.  ..... 95 
Figure 120 View of proposed open space connections.  ............................................ 95 
Figure 121  Open Space Diagram............................................................................... 98 
Figure 122 Ground plane plan.  ................................................................................. 99 
Figure 123 Street and Plaza Sections........................................................................ 100 
Figure 124 View of urban plaza from pathway linking back to Riverside Park....... 101 
Figure 125 View of urban plaza with focus on Theater (civic) building.................. 102 
Figure 126 View of Gateway to Locust Point and Fort McHenry.  ......................... 103 
Figure 127 View of ?rambla? style street.  .............................................................. 104 
Figure 128 View of the waterfront park, .................................................................. 105 
Figure 129  Program Diagram. ................................................................................. 107 
Figure 130  Fa?ade variations................................................................................... 108 
Figure 131 Axons of Standard and End Bay. ........................................................... 109 
Figure 132 Axons of Center Bay. ............................................................................. 109 
 
 viii 
 
Figure 133 Bay Detail. Shows industrial character of fa?ade.  ................................ 110 
Figure 134 Exterior view of the arcade..................................................................... 111 
Figure 135 Interior view of the arcade.  ................................................................... 112 
 
 1 
 
Chapter 1: Introduction 
?Building on the best of yesterday while articulating a visionary agenda for 
tomorrow...?
1
 -James Cramer 
 
Figure 1 Photo looking towards Locust Point and the Domino Sugar factory.  
 South Baltimore Peninsula is in the process of change and growth.  As the 
industry, which once dominated the area and spawned the multiple row house style 
neighborhoods, relocates; it leaves behind a fractured urban landscape. The present-
day redevelopment of this condition supports the recent growth of the population 
within cities and the changing economy.  Current revitalization projects by the city 
are looking for solutions to transportation problems caused by this fragmentation, 
                                                 
1
 Design plus Enterprise. P. 46 
 
 2 
 
which will be looked at in more detail in chapter two.  Unfortunately, their scope of 
work doesn?t deal with fragmentation in its larger context. This thesis proposes a 
model for establishing connections which will link the peninsula together and over 
come the fragmentation created by the industry.  These connections will reclaim the 
peninsula?s most defining feature and greatest amenity, the waterfront.  This thesis 
makes the assumption that the cities projects, which deal with isolated issues within 
the large fragmentation problem, are not substantial enough to provide a strong 
foundation for the redevelopment of the industrial area.   
 The cities revitalization plans for the industrial lands have caused a conflict 
between the existing communities and the developers.  The neighborhoods, such as 
Riverside and Locust Point, have established a strong sense of community throughout 
their history, and see new development as a threat to their way of life.  They feel that 
the new development has caused more transportation problems and brought new 
demographics into the neighborhoods that maintain different lifestyles.  These 
neighborhoods, at community meetings, challenge new developments on a constant 
basis.  As the industrial land becomes more and more vacant, the more pressure there 
is to redevelop the land to satisfy demands of growing city. Change is and will 
continue to happen on the South Baltimore Peninsula, regardless of protest from the 
neighborhoods.  This thesis assumes that redevelopment which provides more 
density, greater city connections, and enhances neighborhood and city amenities, is 
more important for the growth of the peninsula than the individual neighborhoods.  
This assumption stems from a larger desire to promote inner city growth and 
revitalization over suburban sprawl.   
 
 3 
 
 This thesis does not promote the idea that the individual neighborhoods are 
irrelevant or negate the importance of their ?strong sense of community?.  The 
positive elements of the neighborhoods have made the peninsula an attractive place to 
live and the ideal location for redevelopment.    This thesis relies on the ?best of 
yesterday? to generate a foundation for the redevelopment of the industrial land and 
establish a subtle transition between old and new.  Through architecture, 
compensating amenities will be designed that afford the neighborhoods a place for 
their daily activities.  These  architectural elements such as a community theatre will 
take a crucial step towards creating a pedestrian-friendly 24/7 area to serve the 
cultural needs of the community, provide jobs for indigenous artists, attract healthy 
commercial growth in the neighborhood, and improve the quality of life for its 
residents.  These compensating amenities in relationship with the larger layers of 
connections will act as a catalyst for the urban regeneration.  
 This ?best of yesterday? approach is similar to Urban Design Associates 
(UDA)  design approach, ?accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative?. They 
?seek out the best local precedents and incorporate those characteristic elements into 
the fabric of the new, linking past and future to create harmony across the continuum 
of space and time.?
2
  
 Good urban design, according to UDA, addresses a project through various 
scales of design and intervention, which have a relationship to each other.  Different 
levels such as: City, Districts, Neighborhoods, Blocks, and Individual Buildings, 
                                                 
2
 The Urban Design Handbook by Urban Design Associates.  UDA is a Pittsburgh-based national 
practice that engages citizens creatively to revitalize  city neighborhoods, transform public housing, 
bring new life to downtowns and waterfronts.  
 
 4 
 
serve as a ?kit of parts? that will help to understand the urban elements and the 
complexity of the project.(12)  This thesis will utilize this ?kit  of parts? approach to 
investigate possible connections throughout the peninsula  and what effect they will 
have on the thesis site and building; keeping in mind : 
 ?The urban design process functions like a camera lens.  When you first 
 look,  the image is blurry, out of focus. At each step of the process....the 
 image  comes into tighter focus until the ultimate resolution is sharp and a 
 design  solution emerges.?
3
 
 
 
Figure 2 Thesis Site  ?Kit of Parts? Scales 1:100,1:200,1:400,1:600 
 
  
                                                 
3
 The Urban Design Handbook. P. 56. 
 
 5 
 
Chapter 2: Current Projects 
Baltimore Comprehensive Plan 
  The city of Baltimore is in the process of developing a new Comprehensive 
Master Plan that will direct the economic growth and quality of life initiatives for the 
next 10 years.  The plan is divided into four categories: Live, Earn, Play and Learn.
4
   
The first category, Live, is concerned with strengthening neighborhoods, elevating the 
quality of urban design and improving land use and improving environmental and 
public resources.  This thesis accepts all of the points under the Live category and 
these viewpoints will receive special attention: 
 1. Maintaining and promoting clean and attractive neighborhoods; 
 2. Improving design quality of the built environment; 
 3. Increasing public awareness of urban design issues; 
 4. Promoting mixed-use development and reinforcing neighborhood centers; 
 5. Promoting expansion and improvement of public transportation. 
  
 Earn is concerned with economic climate where qualified job-seekers meet 
the growth opportunities in the market, through training, access, and intentional 
collaboration.  Under the Earn category, the major issues are: strengthening identified 
growth sectors; building the city resident workforce; and improving access to jobs.  
This thesis will attempt to highlight the third issue by investigating: 
                                                 
4
 Baltimore?s Comprehensive Plan.  
http://www.ci.baltimore.md.us/government/planning/compplan/index.html 
 
 6 
 
 1. Enhancing transportation choices for the city residents; 
 2. Encouraging creative parking and traffic management solutions. 
 Play is concerned with residents getting the most out of their free-time.  
Play?s major points are: celebrating and enhancing the enjoyment, appreciation and 
stewardship of Baltimore?s heritage and cultural resources; improving the 
entertainment and night life experience for area residents; and increasing the 
attractiveness of parks, greenways, landscaped property, natural areas and stream 
valleys.  This thesis will focus closely on these issues: 
 1. Increasing live entertainment venues; 
 2. Increasing local participation in city recreational activities. 
 Learn makes education and opportunities for Baltimore safer and smarter for 
the long term.  The big issues under Learn are: improving public school facilities; 
capitalizing on untapped potential of large number of higher education institutions; 
creating educational and vocational opportunities; and ensuring safe and convenient 
connections between students and schools.  This thesis will focus on: 
 1. Improving and expanding learning opportunities for all residents ; 
 2. Creating safe routes to schools. 
 These four elements of the city?s Comprehensive Plan will remain underlying 
objectives throughout this thesis investigation.  It is important that the re-development 
of Southside Market Place be based on a similar framework plan as the rest of the 
 
 7 
 
projects for the city, for the purpose of maintaining a level of cohesiveness and unity 
for the vision of Baltimore. 
 Currently, the Planning Department of Baltimore is developing two projects 
that have a direct relationship to the site of this thesis.  There exist a Revitalization 
Plan for Key Highway and a Comprehensive Plan for Locust Point.  This thesis site 
hard boundary is the joint between these two projects, and its soft boundary overlaps 
both projects.  Understanding the goals of each project will allow this thesis to better 
integrate all three projects under a unified vision.  The aim of this thesis is to close the 
gap between these two projects and the communities involved and to show that an 
integration of the two into a larger framework plan will enhance the ideas set forth by 
the city of Baltimore.
5
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 3 Diagram of the two Department of Planning Projects  
                                                 
5
 Baltimore?s Comprehensive Plan. 
http://www.ci.baltimore.md.us/government/planning/compplan/index.html 
 
 8 
 
Revitalization of Key Highway 
 Key Highway today is a major traffic artery that links US 95 to downtown 
Baltimore.  It runs parallel to the waterfront, acting as a barrier between the 
residential neighborhoods and the harbor.  Its form is primarily low-rise, large lot 
buildings typical of a highway strip.  Much of the land that fronts Key Highway is 
either industrial or underdeveloped.  Over the past decade, there have been attempts 
to redevelop these areas, but they are generally residential projects and lack the 
elements to create an active pedestrian zone along Key Highway.  They also make no 
attempt to make connections to the waterfront. 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 4 Key Highway is 105? wide.  
  
 
 9 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 5  Recent Residential development.  The buildings do not engage the street and acts as a 
second barrier along Key Highway, not allowing view to the water. 
 The city has developed a vision to handle the revitalization of Key Highway 
and to solve the problems associated with re-development of the area.  The major 
goals of this vision are: 
 1. Creating a world-class waterfront which has access and views from Key 
  Highway; 
 2. Turning Key Highway into a destination by creating a more dense, lively 
  mixed-use area.  
 
  
 The plan calls for a view corridor to the water along Lawrence Street and an 
open space at the end of the street.  This strategy for access will have a significant 
effect on this thesis site.   Any development will have to accommodate the Museum 
of Industry and Sailing Club that currently resides on the site terminating at Lawrence 
St.  The plan also requires ground-floor activity (retail, office, lobby) along Key 
 
 10 
 
Highway to promote a more pedestrian-active zone.  This will affect the type and the 
extent of mixed use retail in the redevelopment of Southside market Place.
6
 
Comprehensive Plan: Locust Point 
  In its Comprehensive Plan for Locust Point, the Department of Planning 
recommends a balance between residential and industrial development.  It also 
proposes development guidelines to help preserve the neighborhood character and 
quality of life.  
 Today there exists approximately 35 acres of industrial and undeveloped area 
surrounding the residential part of Locust Point.  Industry has dominated the Locust 
Point peninsula, and while there is a change in the global economy, which is affecting 
many industries in the area, the Port-related activities will continue.  A goal of the 
comprehensive plan is to stay in context with the new Maritime Industrial Overlay 
Zone which preserves economically valuable industries in North and South Locust 
Point.  To attract new residents and businesses, the plan will redevelop industrial sites 
that exist within the Locust Point Neighborhood and the inner loop of Locust Point.  
 The comprehensive plan also addresses traffic issues.  The major issues today 
are: 
 1. Growth of commuter traffic to new employers, particularly at key  
  intersections; 
                                                 
6
 Revitalization of Key Highway? Department of Planning, City of Baltimore 
   
 
 
 11 
 
 2. Potential traffic impact of projected future development. 
 Based on future growth in Locust Point, studies predict approximately 90% 
increase in traffic volume over current traffic conditions. The plan recommends 
roadway improvements for the Key Highway Extension and Andre Street that will 
disperse traffic to three main entry-exit points:  Fort Avenue, the Loop Road, and 
Andre Street.  These moves will help to overcome Locust Point peninsula?s ?one-
way-in, one-way-out? condition.  
 Based on the findings of the Department of Planning, this thesis addresses the 
neighborhood character of Locust Point.  While it predicts higher density (currently 
35-40 units per acre even though the area is in a zone R-8, which allows up to 58 
units per acre), it does not predict any change in the neighborhood?s small size, 
relative isolation, and proximity to industry. This thesis plan maintains the size of the 
neighborhood, but enhances the ?strong sense of community? in order to overcome 
the issues of isolation and proximity to industry that exists in Locust Point. 
7
 
                                                 
7
 ?Comprehensive Plan: Locust Point? Department of Planning, City of Baltimore 
 http://www.ci.baltimore.md.us/government/planning/images/locust%20point%20plan.pdf 
   ?Towards a Community Plan, Locust Point, Baltimore, Spring 2002?, Urban Studies and planning, 
 UMD 
 
 
 12 
 
Chapter 3: Site 
History 
 Baltimore is the 12
th
 largest city in the United States and is 5
th
 among United 
States? ports.  It is nick-named the ?Charm City? because of its residents? well-
established concern for the quality of life.  Baltimore?s early development was 
influenced by its geography, it is the farthest west Atlantic port making it attractive to 
shippers.  Its development is also influenced by the economy and cultural life.  
Baltimore has clearly defined neighborhoods and a strong sense of local 
identification.  On August 8, 1729 Baltimore officially became a town, and its reason 
for being was due to economic needs.   Maryland farmers wanted a more local 
customs house that took advantage of the harbor, instead of having to transport their 
goods to previously established ports farther away.  Baltimore became a shipping/ 
merchant town which thrived on foreign trade.  
 During the War of 1812, Baltimore and Fort McHenry served crucial roles in 
preserving America?s independence.  When regular economic activities continued 
after the war, Baltimore played an important part in the national economic expansion 
to the west.  Baltimore invested in the Baltimore & Ohio (B&O) Railroad.  The 
railroad and industrial port shaped the urban fabric of Baltimore all the way up into 
the present day.  
 During the 20
th
 century, Baltimore became an economic pendulum.  The fire 
of 1904, the Great Depression, World War II, the ?suburban flight? all had a negative 
impact on Baltimore?s economy.  The city bounced back each time.  With the help of  
 
 13 
 
municipal, business, volunteer partnership, and federal programs, the city is currently 
in the mode of urban renewal.
8
 
Urban Context 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 6.  Map of South Baltimore peninsula.  
 In the larger urban context, Southside Market Place is located on the land 
south of the Baltimore Harbor, between the Northwest and Middle branches of the 
Patapsco River.  The peninsula is a collection of small neighborhoods, consisting of 
Federal Hill, Federal Hill South, Otterbein, Sharp-Leadenhall, South Baltimore, 
Riverside, Key Highway and Locust Point.  It also has two industrial zones, Spring 
Garden Industrial area and Locust Point Industrial area.  The site is located south of 
Fells Point and is approximately 1.5 miles from the Inner Harbor and downtown 
attractions.  
                                                 
8
 History of Baltimore. http://pages.baltimorecountymd.com/history.htm 
 
 14 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 7  Neighborhood diagram of South Baltimore peninsula 
 
 
Figure 8.  Figure Ground map of South Baltimore Peninsula. 1:500 The dark highlighted area 
represents Riverside and Locust Point.  The shaded area is Southside Market Place. 
   
 
 15 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 9.  Green space network on the peninsula.  Parks include Federal Hill Park, Riverside 
Park, Latrobe Park and Fort McHenry Park. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 10 Major street network of Baltimore.  Reveals the regular gird system that organizes the 
city.  It also reveals the relative residential areas verse the industrial areas on the peninsula.   
 
 
 16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 11 Major traffic artery through the peninsula.  Fort Ave connects the whole peninsula 
together along the east/west axis terminating with Fort McHenry Park.  Key Highway connects 
95 to downtown Baltimore along the north/south axis.  
 
 
Figure 12  Major Highway system through Baltimore 
 
 
 17 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 13  Rail system through Baltimore.  The Light rail line connects the city of Baltimore with 
BWI airport. CSX line is an industrial rail line.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 14  Water taxi stop diagram.  There exists a water taxi stop at the Museum of Industry, 
which is directly north of this thesis site. 
 
 18 
 
Neighborhood Context 
 
Figure 15  Map of Surrounding Neighborhoods  1:400 
 
 The surrounding neighborhoods of Riverside, Locust Point and Key Highway 
have the most direct relationship and influence on this thesis.  The communities in 
these areas are the target users for the new development, so understanding their 
existing conditions will influence the re-development of Southside Market Place.  
These neighborhoods form the soft boundary. They are a mesh of residential and 
industrial buildings. Fort Ave is the major spine which organizes these neighborhoods 
together while Key Highway acts as the divider.   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 19 
 
 
 
Figure 16 Neighborhood Diagram.  Show edges of neighborhoods and relationship to site. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 17 Figure Ground 
 
 20 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 18  Figure Ground of Fort Ave, as link between Riverside and Locust Point. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 19 Figure Ground of Industrial Buildings.  
 
 21 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 20 Aerial Photo of Riverside  
 
 The area west of the site is comprised of Riverside.  It is a small residential 
neighborhood comprised of typical row houses and corner businesses.  Most 
buildings are around 35? tall and 15-25?wide.  Most of this area was built during 
1900-1920 as a residential area for people who worked in the surrounding industrial 
area.  Randall Street Christian Church is the only church in the neighborhood and acts 
as a meeting hall as well.  While there are no other public buildings within this 
neighborhood, they do have Riverside Park.  The park is primarily a recreational area 
with a pool complex, but also serves as a gathering space for neighborhood sponsored 
events.  The closest school is Thomas Johnson Elementary School located just west of 
Riverside Park.  While Riverside boundaries may be clearly defined by streets,  most 
 
 22 
 
people visiting the area would have no knowledge of actually being in Riverside.  It 
blends in with the fabric of Federal Hill and South Baltimore, and fits architecturally 
with these neighborhoods.  This condition is not true for the area east of Southside 
Market Place. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 21 Photos (left) typical row house   (right) riverside park   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Figure 22  Diagram.  Riverside grid blending in with surrounding context 
 
 23 
 
 
Figure 23 Neighborhood Statistical Area: Riverside. *Courtesy of Baltimore City Planning 
Department 
 
 24 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 24 Aerial photo of Locust Point and ?Industrial Island? 
 Locust Point Neighborhood does not blend in with the existing fabric of the 
peninsula.  While it has the same typology of housing and a comparable street 
network, it is cut off by an industrial area.  The boundary of this particular industrial 
area is from Key Highway to the CSX and from the water front to 95.  Not only is it a 
barrier contextually, but physically as well.  Both Key Highway and the CSX rail line 
cut through the topography of the peninsula, forming a small industrial island.  This 
island is actually a part of a larger ring of industrial buildings that isolate the 
residential neighborhood of Locust Point.    
 
 
 25 
 
 
Figure 25.  Neighborhood Statistical Area: Locust Point.  *Courtesy of Baltimore City Planning 
Department 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 26 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 26 Diagram representing the industrial island created by Key Highway and the CSX Line 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 27 Diagram representing the relationship of residential area to the industrial area of 
Locust Point.  
 
 27 
 
 Historically, Locust Point has a direct relationship, physically, economically, 
and socially to the history of the Port and its industries.   The port was established in 
1706 which would make it older than the city.  This area was also a point of entry for 
European immigrants. The entry was at the end of Andre Street and was the second 
largest after Ellis Island.  The historic Fort McHenry, established in 1800, has played 
a large role in protecting Baltimore during the Wars of Independence and is where the 
Star Spangled Banner was written. 
 The settlement of Locust Point was originally know as Whestone Point which 
became an official town in 1706.  It was laid out with a traditional gird system with 
blocks perpendicular to the water front.  By 1782 all 76 lots were sold.  It is believed 
that the strong sense of community in Locust point is due in part to the German, Irish, 
and Polish immigrants that remain in Locust Point to work in the port industries.  
These immigrants helped to establish the neighborhood bars, restaurants and churches 
that still characterize Locust Point today.  The fabric of Locust Point has change very 
little since the 19
th
 century. Today Locust point has three churches, a Recreation 
Center, Fire department and Francis Scott Key Elementary/ Middle school. It has a 
large collection of organizations and clubs.  
 
 
 
 
 28 
 
 
Neighborhood Analysis 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 28 Zoning Map of Riverside, Key Highway and Locust Point 
 Most residential areas are Zoned as R-8, which the City of Baltimore defines 
an area as single family detached homes at 21.7 units per acre, single family attached 
townhouses at 58 units per acre, and multi-family housing at 58 units per acre. 
Schools, recreational facilities and churches also fall under R-8.  Community 
Business and Residential are zoned as B-2-2, and are primarily located along Fort 
Ave.  The thesis site used to be zoned as M-2, General Manufacturer, but today is 
zoned as B-2 Community Commercial.
9
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
9
 Zoning Map. http://www.benfrederick.com/Info/ZoningSum.pdf 
 
 29 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 29  Historical Map 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 30 Diagram.  Historical grid superimposed on existing fabric 
 
 30 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 31 Diagram showing access from the neighborhoods to the site 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      
Figure 32 Photos.  (left) connection to Riverside Park  (right) connection to Locust Point 
 
 31 
 
 
Figure 33 Five minute walking radius. 1:400 This diagram shows that both Riverside and Locust 
Point are a quarter mile long.  It raises the issue that the existing rail lines and the water taxi are 
a 10 minute walk apart. That is not an acceptable distance between mass transit stops.  
 
 
 
 
 32 
 
Site Analysis 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 34 Aerial of Southside Market Place 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 35  Site Figure Ground 1:200 
 
 33 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 36 Site layout comparison.  1:200 
 The site is a typical example of auto-oriented strip mall found in most cities. 
The stores are arranged in a row with a sidewalk in front and it surrounds a large 
parking lot.  It faces the major traffic arteries of Fort Ave. and Key Highway.  The 
site is self-contained with two pedestrian connections to the surrounding 
neighborhoods.  It is characterized by its service-oriented program which is anchored 
by the grocery store.  The architecture is relatively plain, making no attempt to blend 
in with the surrounding context.  Two positive aspects: the site contains a pedestrian 
connection to a neighborhood park and articulates an entrance to the site is marked by 
landscape design and signage.
10
 
 
 
                                                 
10
 Shopping Center Definition.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shopping_centre 
 
 34 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 37 Site Diagram for Dimensions and Program. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 38 Tables  (left) site dimensions (right) site program 
 
Site  =           424,452 sf 
 
Total Acre =   9.7  
 
Buildings on Site:  Single Story, 
Large Box Retail. 
 
Building  Size 
 
A: 43,750 sf 
B: 18,368 sf 
C:   6,572 sf   
D:   5,356 sf 
E: 34,424 sf 
F: 22,844 sf 
 
 
Total SF =   131,314 sf 
 
% of Site Built =                  31% 
1. Merritt Athletic Clubs 
2. McDonalds 
3. Whetstone Point Vet Hospital 
4. Blockbuster Video 
5. World Cleaners 
6. Mustang Pizza & Subs 
7. Hunan Empire Chinese Food 
8. Totally Tan 
9. Subway 
10. Metro Supermarket 
11. Provident Bank of Maryland 
12. Sally Beauty Supply 
13. Radio Shack 
14. Pet Value 
15. GNC 
16. Great Clips for Hair 
17. Huntington Learning Center 
18. Popeyes 
19. Your Nails 
20. Southside Chiropractic 
21. Norwest Financial 
22. Drs. Dennis, Lowder, Dart & Muneer 
23. Rite Aid Pharmacy 
24. Knight Laundromat 
25. Family Dollar 
26. Goodyear
 
 35 
 
 
Figure 39 Photo.  View of architectural character of strip mall 
 
Figure 40 Photo.  View of Grocery Store 
     
Figure 41 
These images show the architectural character of 
the strip mall.  It is a very plain aesthetic that 
surrounds a large parking lot.  There is a covered 
loggia for pedestrian movement along the 
perimeter.  The grocery store is the anchor for the 
strip mall. 
 
 36 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 42 Topography Map of Site 1:300 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 43 Topography Map with context 1:300 
 
 
 
 
 37 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 44 View Corridor Diagram.  The site has views of the water front, the Industry Museum, 
Riverside Park, and the Domino Sugar sign, which is an icon for Baltimore. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 38 
 
 
Figure 45 Photo.  View towards waterfront. 
 
Figure 46 Photo. View of Domino Sugar sign. 
      
Figure 47 
These images show views towards the water front 
and the Domino Sugar Factory from the site.  The 
sign is an iconic element that can be used as a 
locator throughout the city.  These view corridors 
should be maintained throughout the thesis.   
 
 39 
 
 
Figure 48 Photo.  Pedestrian Gateway into the site. 
 
Figure 49 Photo. Pedestrian plaza 
 
Figure 50 
These two images look at the pedestrian plaza that 
connects the site to Riverside Park. This is the 
only pedestrian space on the site.  It has minimal 
landscaping and a few outdoor tables that service 
Subway. The brick wall, which frames the 
entrance helps to establish a gateway, 
unfortunately the park connection terminates on a 
parking lot.  
 
 40 
 
 
Figure 51 Photo.  Front/back condition on the west side of the site. 
 
Figure 52 Photo.  Alley way condition on the east side of the site 
      
Figure 53 
These photos look at the east/west boundaries of 
the site. There is a front/back issue on the west 
side of the street, which has row house fronting the 
back side of the retail buildings.  Rows of trees are 
used to hide the back of the retail.  A service alley 
defines the east boundary of the site.  
 
 41 
 
 
Figure 54 Photo.  Looking south from the entrance.  
 
Figure 55 Photo. Looking north into the space. 
      
Figure 56 
These photos look at the open space in the recently 
re-developed Foundry on Fort, adjacent to the east 
boundary of the site.  These images show how to 
create an intimate pedestrian space which is used 
to collect people before distributing them into the 
buildings.  This space contrast sharply with the 
pedestrian space that links the site to the park seen 
above. 
 
 42 
 
 
Figure 57 Photo.  Museum of Industry 
 
Figure 58 Photo of waterfront. 
      
Figure 59 
These images address the north side of Key 
Highway.  The Museum of Industry is an amenity 
for the area and will be used to generate 
connections to and from the waterfront.  The area 
east of the museum, has a fence that cuts of
pedestrian access to the water front.  There is a 
gate that allows vehicular traffic to access a 
parking lot behind the fence.
 
 43 
 
 
Figure 60 Photo. Looking south toward entrance to site. 
 
Figure 61 Photo. Looking west along Key Highway 
      
Figure 62 
These images look at the conditions of the two 
major streets that provide access to the site, Key 
Highway and Lawrence Street. Both streets lack 
pedestrian-related activities and are dedicated to 
the movement of vehicles. Key Highway is 100? 
feet wide with 5 lanes of traffic.  Lawrence Street 
is 75? wide with  4 lanes of traffic.  
 
 44 
 
 
Figure 63 Photo.  View of Fort Ave crossing over Key Highway. 
 
Figure 64 Photo. View of Key Highway carving through the topography. 
      
Figure 65 
The images reveal Key Highway carving through 
the land and separating Riverside from Locust 
Point.  It creates a canyon of vehicular traffic 
coming from I-95.  The bridge is the only access 
into Locust Point.   These picture highlight the 
biggest barrier to re connecting the urban fabric.  
 
 45 
 
Chapter 4: Precedent Analysis  
Urban Strategy Precedents 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 66 Photo (left) aerial photo of building spine  (right) Site Plan of ?Romerberg? 
Schirn Kunsthalle 
Am Romerberg, Frankfurt am Main, Germany 
Architects: Bangert, Jansen, Scholz and Schultes 
Constructed: 1983-1985 
 The main goal of the Schrin was to resonate with the old city pattern.   Until 
WWII, the site maintained its medieval character and served as a town center.   After 
the bombings, more than 2000 medieval buildings were destroyed; amazingly the 
cathedral and Romer town hall remained intact.  The two buildings sat opposite each 
other with a large void separating them for almost 40 years.  The bombings did lead 
to the discovery of ancient roman ruins directly in front of the cathedral.  Due in part 
to the discovery of these ruins, the city left the area untouched because of the 
importance of the Romerberg (Roman Hill).   
 
 
 46 
 
 
Figure 67 Romerberg, Frankfurt after WWII 
  
 It wasn?t until the 1970?s, when the city started to regain its traditional 
commercial eminence that the city started to make proposals for the re-development 
of the area.  The architects who won the competition allowed the medieval fabric to 
be the generator for their design.   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 47 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 68  Medieval city figure ground 
 
 
 
Figure 69 Modern city figure ground  
 
 
 48 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 70 Section and Parti. Shows a bar building making a physical and symbolic connection 
between the cathedral and town hall/church. The rotunda piece and auditorium form a cross 
axis that generates two open spaces, one for the roman ruins and one for the town hall.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 71  Street comparison.   The medieval city had a street that connected the two churches 
together.  The bar building symbolizes this street and connection. 
 
 
Figure 72  Medieval re-construction.  This medieval housing block helped to form the 
Romerberg square.  The new plan re-constructs a mixed-use housing block in the same manner 
to recreate the square.  
 
 
 49 
 
 
Figure 73 Street network comparison.  The new design recreates the pedestrian movement 
systems that existed in the medieval city.  
 
 
Figure 74  Scale comparison.  This diagram shows the size of the Schirn with in the site of the 
Southside Market Place, Baltimore.  
 
 Through its example of re-knitting the fabric back together on an open site, 
the Schirn Kunsthalle guides the framework plan for this thesis.  The physical and 
symbolic connection of the main civic building generates ideas on how to make 
connections between Riverside and Locust Point.  Also, the use of medieval 
 
 50 
 
typologies in the modern city, helps to re-establish the ?the sense of place? which will 
be helpful in figuring out typologies and aesthetics that enhance the strong sense of 
community that exists in both neighborhoods today. 
11
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
11
 
Schirn. Davey, Peter  ?Rationalsim is not enough? The Architectural Record,  
 
 
 51 
 
Piazza della Signoria/ Uffizi Pllace 
Florence, Italy 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 75  Aerial Photo of Piazza della Signoria and the Uffizi Place (P2) 
 Piazza della Signoria in Florence represents a compound square built during 
the middle ages.  It was originally designed to be an entirely self-contained urban 
center. It made no attempt to make a connection to the river, which was an element 
that sustained the city.  The Palazzo Vecchio extrudes into the piazza, causing the 
compound condition. This move established two unique spaces that relate to different 
urban conditions.  During the Renaissance, statues placed strategically to orient, 
 
 52 
 
disorient and reorient a person within this compound space.  Also during this time, 
Giorgio Vasari designed the Uffizi Palace, a practical and an architecturally symbolic 
link between the town center and the River Arno.  
 
Figure 76 Parts of a whole 
 
 
  
 
 
 
`` 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 77 Piazza della Signoria as a self-contained space with no relationship to the water.  
 
 
 
 
 53 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 78  Piazza della Signoria relying on the Uffizi to make a connection to the water 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 79  Public space and Semi-Public space  
 
 
 54 
 
 
Figure 80 Parti of compound spaces 
 The overlapping spaces within the Piazza della Signoria allow for intimate 
and unique spaces within themselves, but also act as parts of a whole.  The use of 
compound spaces has the potential to allow for smaller more intimate spaces for each 
neighborhood, while using the overlapping quality to bring them closer together.  The 
Uffizi Place is a strong example of making a direct pedestrian connection to the water 
front.   This strategy could help the neighborhoods make a strong connection to the 
water front and to the rest of the city.
12
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
12
 
Zucker, Paul  Town and Square: From the Agora to the Village Green.
 
    Bacon, Edmund  Design of Cities   
 
 55 
 
 
?The Shaft at Nancy? 
Nancy, France 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 81 Aerial View of the shaft.  Courtesy of Design of  Cities 
 ?A shaft of space? is the way Edmund Bacon refers to the series of spaces 
which organize the civic core of Nancy.  Renaissance Nancy consisted of two parts: 
the medieval city and the renaissance city which were separated by fortifications.   
 With the removal of the fortifications, the use of a traffic, residential, and 
pedestrian square along the east/west axis helped organize and connect the two parts 
of the city.  The shaft also created a cross axis with the new regional movement 
system that ran north/south through the traffic square, Place Royale.  From the Place 
Royale, one moves through an Arch de Triumph, which alludes to the fortified wall 
that divided the city, to the residential square, Place de la Carriere.  The shaft is 
terminated with the Government Palace and a pedestrian square.   The ?shaft? creates 
a sequential architectural experience, both vertically and horizontally.  
 
 
 56 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 82 Figure ground of the renaissance and medieval parts of Nancy.  Overlapping the plan 
is the regional movement and the cross axis of sequences of squares.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 83 Organizational diagram of the squares.  From left to right, Place Royale (traffic 
square), Place Carriere (residential square), pedestrian square in front of Government Palace, 
and Garden.  
 
 
 57 
 
 
Figure 84 Axon showing density along the sequence of spaces and their relationship to types of 
squares. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 85  Heroic and supporting elements that help to define the unique squares.  
 
 
 58 
 
  
 The sequence of squares offers an organizational strategy for helping to 
connect Riverside and Locust Point together.  Both cities had some barriers to 
overcome. In Nancy it was the fortified wall, and in Baltimore it is Key Highway that 
needs to be resolved.  Nancy is a good example of how different types of squares with 
different architectural characteristics can be related to one another.  The use of heroic 
and supporting elements to define each space, can guide the process of defining 
different spaces for different program elements for this thesis.  The regional 
movement as a generative agent and how it affects the development of the ?shaft? 
provides insight on how Key Highway and Fort Ave can generate an organizational 
tool for the site. 
13
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
13
 
Zucker, Paul  Town and Square: From the Agora to the Village Green.
 
    Bacon, Edmund  Design of Cities  
 
 
 59 
 
Program Precedents 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 86 Aerial photo of site 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 87 Photo (left) Market Commons (right) Urban Plaza 
 
The Market Commons 
Clarendon, Virginia 
 
 
 
 60 
 
 This project is an example of the relationship between diverse higher density, 
mixed-used buildings and lower density residential neighborhoods.  The Market 
Commons is a mixed-use development that attempts to link the Clarendon Corridor 
Area by achieving a unified visual image creating attractive urban public and private 
spaces that will attract maximum desirable use while being sensitive to the 
surrounding neighborhoods.  The community realized the potential to have a distinct 
character that served as a linkage and transition area for the Clarendon Corridor.   
 The Market Commons includes 500 residential units, 300 apartments, 87 
town-homes, 100,000 s.f. of office space, 240,000 s.f. of retail space, and 1200 
parking spaces.  This program happens on ten acres of land, which is located two 
blocks from a metro stop and is within three miles of downtown D.C. and 
Georgetown. 
 Some of the major objectives of The Market Commons were: 
? Establish a cohesive, urban design framework 
? Preserve the integrity of lower density residential neighborhoods 
? Establish a balanced and well defined pedestrian and vehicular circulation 
system 
? Foster the development and provision of a diverse mix of uses 
  
 The plan develops Clarendon Blvd. to have a ?Main Street? feel with mixed-
use commercial/ retail.  It places mixed-use development around a central plaza that 
anchors the site at the intersection of two streets.  This urban plaza connects to all 
 
 61 
 
parts of the development.  The taller apartments are set back from the fa?ade of the 
retail to open up the plaza even more. The program of the plaza allows for big name 
retail mixed with Mom and Pop shops. 
 Town houses wrap around the periphery of the mixed use development as a 
transition from the dense town center to the single-family development.  The town 
houses, along with the public green space provide a smaller scale and quieter public 
space that complement the denser urban plaza.  Surface parking was replaced by a 
parking garage that is wrapped by the mixed-use development.  
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 88 Diagrams (left) program (right) transition zones 
 
 
 
 
 
 62 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 89 (left) Main Street Diagram (right) Photo of Clarendon Blvd. Clearly define street edge 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 90 (left) Urban Plaza Diagram (right) Photo of Urban Plaza.  Apartments stepping back 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 91 (left) Park Diagram (right) Photo of Town House around Public Park 
 
 
 
 
 63 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 92Site Section.  Shows higher density mixed use stepping down to lower density 
residential 
 The Market Commons site is comparable in size to Southside Marketplace, 
both are approximately 10 acres.  Southside Marketplace has approximately 130,000 
s.f. of retail space, compared to Market Commons 240,000 s.f.  Potentially, 110,000 
s.f. of retail could be added to the program for the redevelopment of Southside 
Market Place.  This provides an example of site layout with relationship to a main 
street (Fort Ave compared with Clarendon Blvd.) and the low density residential 
areas.  The manner in which The Market Commons handles the stepping down of 
density to relate to the context demonstrates an approach to providing higher density 
buildings next to the 2-3 story row houses in Riverside and Locust Point .   The 
multiple transition corridors  between the urban plaza and existing condition 
 
 64 
 
highlights the importance of  providing  more access and making stronger 
connections to surrounding amenities, which is a major goal for this thesis.  
 
 
 
 
 65 
 
Chapter 5:  Design Analysis 
Design Goals 
 The purpose of this thesis is to explore physical connections that overcome 
transportation and industrial barriers imposed throughout South Baltimore peninsula.    
The city of Baltimore is currently considering two renovation projects: Key Highway 
and Locust Point, which begin to address these barriers.  While the projects address a 
particular problem, they do not consider the  potential improvement of entire 
peninsula.  This thesis?s main underlying goal goes beyond the building, the site, and 
the framework plan.  It establishes a series of connections that addresses an individual 
issue while connecting the neighborhoods and linking them to the other amenities 
such as the ball parks and Inner Harbor. These connections will help to solve 
transportation needs, pedestrian movement, and linking of amenities.   
 Once these layers of connection have been established, this thesis will 
generate a framework plan that will incorporate these connections to re-stitch the 
urban fabric of Riverside and Locust Point.  These connections will overcome the 
barriers of Key Highway and I-95 and will provide more access to Locust Point and 
the waterfront.  Analyzing the fabric of both neighborhoods and the transportation 
systems will help establish a framework plan which alleviates traffic problems within 
the neighborhood caused by commuters and allow for a more pedestrian-active 
neighborhood.   
 The next goal is to establish a mixed-use retail center where the different 
layers of connections overlap.  While access into and through the site will be based on 
 
 66 
 
the surrounding street network, the new development will employ multiple housing 
types and increase the density, which will break from the typical row house typology 
of the surrounding neighborhoods.  This break allows for a more diverse collection of 
people, which leads to a wider range of activities, that will be fitting for a site 
energized by the overlapping of connections.  The diversity of people will have an 
impact of the types of retail for the new development.  This thesis is committed to the 
existing retail, which is appropriate for the needs of the existing neighborhoods, but 
will introduce 100,000 s.f. of additional retail to accommodate the different 
demographics moving into the neighborhoods.  The new total s.f. will be comparable 
to that of Market Commons which covers the same acreage  
 The last goal is to establish a building program that can anchor the different 
layers of connections and provide a new amenity to the surrounding neighborhoods.  
The building through architecture will articulate and define spaces that correspond to 
the different connections. The building will have indoor and outdoor spaces that can 
accommodate a wide range of neighborhood activities.  
  To handle the different problems and complexities of this thesis, the 
framework plan will break down into a series of precincts to allow the investigation 
of ?set pieces? for each precinct.  While each ?set piece? will deal with the individual 
problems of their respective precinct, they will be tested against the whole to maintain 
a continuous decipherable urban fabric. The ?set pieces? will operate within the 
dialogue of the existing conditions to bridge the gap between the communities.   
 
 67 
 
 The seam between the Riverside and Locust Point will become the focal point 
of this thesis.  The process of creating more access and connecting the two 
communities together should not imply a seamless connection.  The seam will be 
used to maintain the individuality of each neighborhood while affording them an 
opportunity to interact.  
 The ?set pieces? will establish the defined edges of the seam.  As the context 
of the neighborhoods approach the hard boundary of the seam, there will be a change 
in density and typology of buildings.  The 2 ? 3 story row houses will be replaced 
with 4-5 story mixed-use apartment buildings.  This shift will establish a vertical 
element that symbolizes the uniqueness of the seam.  While this may seem counter 
productive to the goal of re-connecting the two communities, it must be stated that the 
connections happen on the horizontal, extending the gird and establishing more 
access points.  
Special Consideration 
 The biggest hurdle for this thesis will be the social aspect, connecting the two 
communities together.  Both communities have strong histories and are very 
concerned and protective of future well-being.  There already exists a lack of 
cohesive cooperation on the two projects discussed earlier.  Programmatically, the 
neighborhoods have different needs and wants.  With site restrictions, not all desired 
program elements can be accommodated by this thesis.  The problem is how to keep 
the level of compensating amenities consistent for both neighborhoods.  How does 
 
 68 
 
design help to bring two segregated neighborhoods together that may not want to be 
connected?   
 The second issue socially is the introduction of the ?young professional? and 
commuters into the area due to the redevelopment of industrial buildings into offices/ 
services.  Demographic changes brought change in traffic patterns/needs and a change 
in program needs and desires.  Designing a program for the site that breaks down the 
social barriers between these two diverse groups will be an issue.  This thesis will be 
faced with the notion that because these groups have different wants and needs, they 
many not or cannot engage each other within the same space.  
 A program issue from the beginning will be  access and transportation.  How 
will parking, which comprises 60% of the site now, be handled with the addition of 
more program on the site and the desire to develop a more pedestrian-active 
environment? 
 Another program issue involves typology and density.  Both neighborhoods 
are defined by the 2-3 story row houses and a consistent height of 35 feet.  The 
residential areas are zoned to allow for 58 units per acre.  The people of these 
communities have voiced there concerns over the development of taller more dense 
buildings.  They worry that taller buildings will block views and cast a continuous 
shadow on their narrow streets.  They also worry that more density will cause more 
traffic and parking problems.  The goal to solve these issues to allow for more density 
and taller buildings will be to provide clear diagrams of how parking and traffic 
 
 69 
 
patterns will be altered.  It will also be important to investigate a strategy for stepping 
up to the taller buildings, instead of allowing a sudden change in height.  
   
 
 70 
 
Chapter 6:  Program 
  
Development Concept 
 Locust Point Industry while important to the existence of Locust Point 
fragmented the urban fabric.   The fragmented landscape has contributed to the 
isolation of Locust Point neighborhood and the lack of physical connections to 
Riverside and the rest of the peninsula.  It has also separated the neighborhoods from 
the waterfront. The first step is the placement of ?set pieces? that help to organize and 
connect major axis and movement systems throughout the peninsula.  These ?set 
pieces? range from light rail stops to small plazas and parks.   
 The second step will involve the placement of mixed-use, residential and open 
space ?set pieces? within the neighborhoods to help organize the urban fabric into a 
decipherable whole.  These pieces are parts of a whole which define the new layers of 
connection.  The residential ?set pieces? will be generated from the existing context 
both in layout and typology of buildings.  
 The third step of the program deals with the thesis site.  The site will be 
broken down into two elements; a mixed-use retail center and a community theater 
?set pieces?.  The first part of this program looks to create a more dense area of retail 
and housing that help to define this space as belonging not to just one particular 
neighborhood, but that it is actually the seem where the two neighborhoods come 
together.  This program speaks to the special condition of the different layers of 
connection coming together on this site.  The community theater will be planned to 
 
 71 
 
address each  individual connection, while providing the local neighborhoods with a 
program that stimulates 24-hour activity.  
Program Elements 
Community Theater 
 A medium-scale facility hosting touring companies covering drama, ballet, 
and musicals, with a multi-functional auditorium, for both professional and amateur 
companies. This facility will have a secondary multipurpose space for community 
meetings and activities. The theater will serve as the anchor for the retail as well as 
the anchor for the different layers of connections throughout the peninsula.  
Mixed-Use Retail Center  
 Southside Market Place will be re-developed into a mixed-used retail center.  
The existing program will be reused, but with the addition of more upscale 
retail/clothing stores, for the purpose of appealing to a more diverse group of 
residents.  Market-rate housing will accompany the retail program.  Mixed-use 
program for the site will create more value for the land in relationship to the level of 
access that already exist in this area.  New additions will include; a gourmet-style 
grocery store, a Hallmark shop, upscale clothing store, a bakery, a coffee house, and 
restaurants (not fast food).  
 
 
 
 72 
 
Housing 
 While the use of the typical row houses will be used to transition between the 
existing neighborhoods and the new development. The use of apartment housing, 
assisted living housing, and multifamily apartment housing will provide more options 
to young professionals, families and elderly people that have lived in these 
neighborhoods most of their lives.  
Open Space 
 While both neighborhoods have multiple parks, they lack public squares.  A 
large plaza will be designed to be used by both communities for housing outdoor 
events and the day to day vibrancy of urban life.  There will be a second open space 
along the waterfront which will connect to the Inner Harbor promenade and Museum 
of Industry.  
Linear Park 
 The linear park will connect the large plaza to the water front and to Fort 
McHenry. It is characterized my an oversized median in middle of Fort Ave. and 
Lawrence Street, which is used for pedestrian movement.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 73 
 
Program Tabulations 
Housing Component:               455,200 s.f. 
Row Houses 
? 106 Single Family Row House @ (2100 s.f.)           222,600 s.f.  
Multi-Family Apartment Housing              232,600s.f. 
? 60 Studio @ (530 s.f.)                31,800 s.f. 
? 80 One Bedroom Units @ (660 s.f.)               52,800s.f. 
? 100 Two Bedroom Units @ (1000 s.f.)            100,000s.f. 
? 40 Three Bedroom Units @ (1200 s.f.)              48,000s.f. 
? Storage space per floor        300 s.f. 
? Laundry facilities per floor        400 s.f. 
? Leasing Office          540 s.f. 
Community Theater Component:                  9,100s.f. 
? Theatrical Stage (max 250 seats)     3,000 s.f. 
? Multi Purpose Room       3,000 s.f. 
? Gallery/ Lobby                  1,500 s.f. 
? Offices 4@200 s.f.         800 s.f 
? Restrooms          800 s.f. 
Retail Component:               240,000 s.f. 
? Existing Retail               131,314 s.f. 
? Grocery Store                 40,000 s.f. 
? Resturants  w/ Bar                11,000 s.f.  
? Caf?          1,200 s.f. 
 
 74 
 
? Bakery          2,000 s.f. 
? New retail                 66,000 s.f. 
Light Rail Station                 2,000 s.f. 
Water Taxi Stop               11,000 s.f. 
? Water Taxi Stop                1,000 s.f. 
? Restaurant w/ Bar                   8,000 s.f. 
? Sailing Club                 2,000 s.f. 
 
 
 75 
 
Chapter 7:  Design Approach 
 
Connections Parti 
 
 The connections, with which this thesis proposes to knit the two 
neighborhoods together, are best understood in the context of the entire peninsula.  
 
 
Figure 93 Proposed Tram system.  This diagram investigates the potential for a trap loop that 
connects the whole peninsula and the location of potential stops.  These stops, accompanied by 
parking garages, will help to limit traffic congestions within the peninsula neighborhoods.  The 
loop will connect the city wide amenities such as the ball parks and Inner Harbor to Fort 
McHenry.  
 
 76 
 
 
Figure 94 Proposed Greenway.  This diagram investigates the potential green connections 
between existing and proposed parks.  The goal is not to just line the parks together, but more 
importantly, to provide a clear hierarchical pedestrian path throughout the peninsula that is 
defined by natural elements. 
Figure 95.  Proposed street connection.  This diagram highlights the potential for the extensions 
of the local street network as well as Key Highway. 
 
 77 
 
 
Figure 96. Layers of connections. This diagram investigates the overlapping of the different 
connection layers.  The points of intersection offer a chance for design investigation of an 
energized node of activity influenced by the combination of connections.   
  
 These layers of connections begin to organize the peninsula.  The mass transit 
circles the perimeter, keeping high density traffic out of the neighborhoods.  As the 
industrial zones on the peninsula are redeveloped into offices and commercial 
buildings, it will enhance the positioning of the mass transit on the perimeter.  The 
majority of industrial land is along the edges of the peninsula and the new program 
will require a higher level of transportation.  
 The greenway establishes a major east/west axis that allows for a lower 
density pedestrian movement system that connects the entire peninsula.   The 
development of an open space on the west side of the peninsula will help to terminate 
 
 78 
 
Fort Ave. which today dead ends into a industrial zone, creating an unbalanced 
relationship with McHenry Park which terminates the east end.  
 The street connection layer provides a first look at how to re-knit the fabric 
back together. 
 The point where the peninsula is the narrowest is where all there connections 
have the closest relationship to each other.  It is at this point where the thesis site lies.  
The site becomes a collector and distributor of movement for the peninsula, it 
becomes an energized node of activity, which can become the focal point that defines 
the changing character of the peninsula.  
   
 
 79 
 
Precinct Plan 
 The site and surrounding areas are broke up into four precincts.  Two 
precincts are residential developments that are generated from the existing grid 
condition of the surrounding neighborhoods.  The precinct below Riverside Park 
relies on the neighborhood grid to complete the southern boundary of the park while 
organizing the Riverside Train Yards. The precinct west of Locust Point will re-knit 
the fabric of the original gird, to provide a strong edge along Fort Ave.  The large 
precinct, which includes this thesis site, is a mixed use zone that deals with the larger 
context connections layers discussed above.  The final precinct, where Phillips 
Seafood World Headquarters and the old Chesapeake Bay Paper Company are 
located, will be developed into a mixed-use area that will have different forms of 
housing and offices.  It will provide a secondary connection over Key Highway to 
Riverside and clearly define the southern edge of Fort Ave, which today is loosely 
defined.  
 
 80 
 
Figure 97.Precinct plan.  This diagram breaks down the four precincts.  The two yellow zones 
are primarily residential and the two orange zones are mixed-use.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 98 Intersections and Connections Points.  This diagram highlights the possible 
connections streets into and through the precincts as well as locates the potential for open spaces 
based the intersections of connections.  
 
 
 81 
 
Framework Plan  
 
Figure 99 Existing figure ground.  1:400 
 
 
Figure 100 Scheme A.  Proposed figure ground. 1:400.  This scheme defines the edges of the two 
major axes of Fort Ave. and Lawrence St. It also creates two large open spaces, one in each of the 
mixed use precincts.  
 
 82 
 
 
 
Figure 101 Scheme B.  Proposed figure ground. 1:400.  This scheme is based off of  the Market 
Commons precedent which has a large space that terminates a transportation axis, and defined 
?Main Street? element.  
 
 
Figure 102 Scheme C. Proposed figure ground. 1:400.  This scheme investigates object buildings 
that generate axis and cross axis that organize the site.  
 
 83 
 
Site Parti 
 
Figure 103 Existing figure ground.  1:200 
 
Figure 104 Scheme A. 1:200.  This scheme investigates the two larger space as two different 
zones of activity, one being a large plaza for retail uses, and the other being a park-like setting 
for residential use.  It also has a linear green way connecting to the water front, where it 
terminates into the beginning of a  30? promenade that connects to Harborplace.   
 
 84 
 
 
 
 
Figure 105. Scheme B. 1:200.  This scheme has one large space that connects down a park along 
the waterfront. It allows existing streets to penetrate the space to allow for a continuous 
connection of the two merging neighborhood grids.   
 
Figure 106 Scheme C. 1:200. This scheme employs the same connections to the water front but 
investigates secondary movement systems, which link the residential blocks together.  
 
 85 
 
 
Building Parti 
 
 
Figure 107 Existing figure ground. 1:100 
 
Figure 108 Scheme A. 1:100. Civic Building as physical and symbolic connector between the two 
neighborhoods.  
 
 86 
 
 
 
Figure 109 Scheme B. 1:100.  Civic Building as parts of a whole.  Different program elements 
exist in different buildings which are secondary to the larger space, but have a defined 
connection to each other.  
 
Figure 110. Scheme C. 1:100. Civic Building as a linear element which generates a movement 
axis. 
 
 87 
 
 There are common themes through these schemes: the creation of a forma axis 
along Lawrence Street to the water front which terminates into a 30? promenade, 
which has been previously established by the city and retail surrounding a open space 
within the site.   Further investigation will address the potential of the major retail 
space along Fort Ave. activating the street in areas that are underdeveloped; the street 
edge becomes loosely defined.  This would allow the development of more intimate 
residential squares on the site, just behind the retail street.    
 Looking further at Scheme A, the building as a bridge, there is the opportunity 
to look at the connection over Key Highway in three different ways: as a open space 
versus a building, as building and open space, or as multiple buildings.  In the case of 
multiple buildings connecting over Key Highway, the best use would be to define the 
street edges of Fort Ave.  The figure ground, regardless of present interventions, still 
shows a large gap in the context where Key Highway is.  For this thesis to achieve its 
goal of knitting the fabric back together, it must solve this gap along Fort Ave.  
 
 88 
 
Chapter 8:  Design Solution 
 
 As this thesis entered the actual design phase, it began to focus its attention on 
the larger greenway connection.  The reason being, the street and mass transit 
connections required much less architectural articulation than the greenway 
connection. The larger green connection offered the best organization of open space 
throughout the development of the master plan.  The major goal from this point 
forward became about linking the different cities amenities together, in this case, 
establishing a link between Riverside Park, Fort McHenry, the water front and the 
Inner Harbor Promenade. 
 The final design phase of this thesis achieved its goal of connections through 
investigations of Urban Fabric, Urban Space, and Urban Facade. It shows how each 
scale informs each other while staying true to the bigger idea of connection.  
Urban Fabric 
 The major goals under the Urban Fabric investigation are: re-knitting the 
fabric back together between Riverside and Locust Point;  providing more access into 
Locust Point through the addition of more bridges over Key Highway; establishing a 
clear vertical edge along Fort Ave as it links the two neighborhoods together; creating 
footprints of buildings that allow for higher density to be drawn in from the water 
front, building on the Key Highway proposal for higher density;  and creating a series 
of open spaces that begin to link the different amenities throughout the city.  The 
majority of the density happens along Lawrence Street and on the site of the old 
 
 89 
 
Chesapeake Paper Company building, with smaller 3-4 story buildings being used as 
infill to ease the transition between the row houses and the 6-8 story buildings on the 
site.  
 The placement of the residential tower within the waterfront park serves two 
purposes.  First, the tower has a relationship to the towers being plan in the Key 
Highway proposal, by continuing the skyline and taking full advantage of the value of 
the land.  Second and more importantly, it is used as a focal point for people coming 
from the inner harbor promenade or from Riverside Park.  It collects people from the 
inner harbor and redirects them along the urban fa?ade, up Lawrence Street, and on 
towards the two parks.  Vice Versa, it is used to pull people down from the urban 
plaza towards the waterfront.   
 The theater building is placed along the major axis of the urban plaza.  It is 
located to have the most profound affect on the pedestrian by fronting the large public 
space and terminating the major axis from the water front. 
   
  
 
 90 
 
 
Figure 111  South Baltimore Peninsula Locator Map 
 
 91 
 
 
 
Figure 112  Southside Master Plan with green connections 
 
 92 
 
 
Figure 113  Figure ground highlighting fragmented landscape 
 
 
Figure 114  Land-use diagram.  Focuses on Mixed-use development surrounded by existing 
residential. 
 
 93 
 
 
Figure 115 Existing aerial of site.  Highlighted building represents proposed demo buildings.  
 
Figure 116 Master plan aerial. Focuses on higher density (with towers) waterfront with the 
density being pulled inland along Lawrence Street.  
 
 
 
 94 
 
 
 
Figure 117 View of Fort Ave existing.  Highlights the lack of street definition along Fort Ave 
where the site is.  
 
Figure 118 View of Fort Ave proposed.  A continuous edge along Fort Avenue establishing a 
strong visual connection between Locust Point and Riverside. 
 
 
 
 95 
 
 
 
 
Figure 119 View of Southside Market Place, Lawrence Street, and water front.  Existing. 
 
 
Figure 120 View of proposed open space connections.  Transformation of existing auto-oriented 
spaces into a pedestrian dominate area.  
 
 96 
 
Urban Space 
 
  
 The major goals investigated under Urban Space, were the creation of three 
spaces that linked Riverside Park to the waterfront and establish a gateway piece that 
linked to Fort McHenry.  The parti for these three spaces already exist today: the 
large parking lot of South Side Market Place, Lawrence Street as a commuter link, 
and the open brown field along the water, next to the Museum of Industry.  These 
three existing space are all effected by the automobile, which has led to a disconnect 
between them.  This thesis transforms those spaces into three pedestrian spaces, each 
of which has its own experience but is linked by the articulation of the ground plane 
and a series of bar buildings that contain a continuous fa?ade. 
 The three spaces consist of a urban plaza, a ?rambla? style street, and a 
waterfront park.   The urban plaza sits at the junction between Lawrence Street and 
Fort Ave.  It serves as a large civic space that is dominated by the community theater 
and contained by the urban fa?ade on two sides, which help to set up a formal axis 
that organizes the plaza.  On the side that fronts Fort Ave, is a large grid of trees 
which serves both as the continuous vertical edge along Fort Ave and as a transition 
space that resolves the overlapping axes of the plaza and Lawrence Street.  There is a 
second transition space just in front of the theater building that is used to resolve the 
issues of pedestrian crossing and car drop off for the theater.  
 Lawrence Street is transformed into a pedestrian dominate street, much like 
those in Spain, where there is an oversize median where the major pedestrian flow 
takes places, and the automobile occupies the sides.  This center is used to link the 
 
 97 
 
waterfront and the plaza together, but also to establish a space for temporary markets 
and pavilions to set up.  
 The waterfront park acts as the terminus for the Inner Harbor promenade and 
has a close relationship to the Museum of Industry and the sailing club. It is a 
collector space that is used to re-orient people towards different amenities, while also 
opening up views to the whole harbor.    The parti layout of the park is based on the 
foot prints of pre-existing industrial buildings that once sat on the site.  
  
 
 
 
 98 
 
 
Figure 121  Open Space Diagram.   
 
 99 
 
 
Figure 122 Ground plane plan.  Shows relationship between urban space and urban fa?ade.  
 
 100 
 
 
Figure 123 Street and Plaza Sections.  Focuses on relationship of urban space to interior public 
space.  
 
 101 
 
 
 
Figure 124 View of urban plaza from pathway linking back to Riverside Park.  
 
 102 
 
 
Figure 125 View of urban plaza with focus on Theater (civic) building.  
 
 103 
 
 
Figure 126 View of Gateway to Locust Point and Fort McHenry.  The view shows the rows of 
trees along Fort Ave being penetrated by the arcade to set up a visual cross axis, which is used to 
redirect the pedestrian towards the water front.  The rows of trees are used at the end of the 
plaza space to continue the vertical edge along Fort Ave.  
 
 104 
 
 
Figure 127 View of ?rambla? style street.  This is the transformation of Lawrence St, a auto 
oriented street linking Key Highway and Fort Ave, into a pedestrian street linking the urban 
plaza to the water front. It is design to have pavilions for weekend markets.  
 
 105 
 
 
Figure 128 View of the waterfront park, coming from the inner harbor along the promenade.  
 
 106 
 
Urban Fa?ade 
 The major goals for the Urban Fa?ade are; to establish a language which 
relates to the industrial attitude of the area and of Baltimore; to create a continuous 
fa?ade over the span of three buildings that establish a rhythm used to direct 
movement between three spaces; and finally to establish a fa?ade, unrelated to 
program, that is a backdrop for the three open spaces.  
 In addition to the fa?ade, this thesis created an arcade that responded to the 
ground floor retail.  The arcade is used as a covered walkway between retail stores, 
which is wide enough to allow for outdoor retail activity as well as outdoor caf? 
tables. Its primary purposes is to separate the demands of retail from the open space.  
The urban space and urban fa?ade are about creating a uniformed appearance that is 
about the larger urban moves, whereas the retail is about expressing itself to the 
pedestrian.  The arcade allows for a secondary movement for pedestrian and allows 
the retail to have freedom of signage that doesn?t impose on the open space.  
 The fa?ade is articulated with brick and steel to allude to an industrial 
building.  It is broken down into the classical three parts; base, piano noble, and attic. 
The base is articulated to represent the arcade behind.  The separation of the brick 
columns from the brick on the piano noble, helps to place emphasize on the 
horizontal reading of the piano noble, as it used to direct movement between the 
urban spaces. The attic consists of setback loft apartments, which creates an exterior 
zone of movement that allows the tenants to experience the three urban spaces in a 
much different manner.  
 
 
 107 
 
 
Figure 129  Program Diagram. Shows the relationship of the urban fa?ade to possible program 
behind. While the fa?ade relates to the larger urban spaces, the program behind is an 
interlocking organization of mixed-use parts that respond to the diverse needs of the city. 
 
 
 108 
 
 
Figure 130  Fa?ade variations. Highlights the different variations that occur on the urban fa?ade.  
These variations happen in response to their corresponding opens space. 
 
 109 
 
 
Figure 131 Axons of Standard and End Bay. 
 
 
Figure 132 Axons of Center Bay.   
 
 110 
 
              
Figure 133 Bay Detail. Shows industrial character of fa?ade.  This articulation of the fa?ade is in 
response to the past use of the site and the existing context.  
 
 111 
 
 
Figure 134 Exterior view of the arcade. Shows the relationship of the street to the rhythm of the 
arcade fa?ade.  
 
 112 
 
 
Figure 135 Interior view of the arcade.  Highlights the potential for a covered pedestrian 
movement system, as well as having places of events, such as a out door caf?. The arcade is 15? 
wide, which is wide enough to accommodate an exterior retail space and the pedestrian.  
 
 113 
 
Chapter 9:  Conclusion 
 The one area of this thesis that did not receive full attention was the theater 
building, talked about so much earlier on in this document.  As this thesis got into the 
design phase, it become very clear that, while the placement of the theater building 
was still an important decision, as it related to the organization of the master plan and 
open spaces, the actual design of the theater was outside the scope of this thesis and 
would not have contributed in the overall argument of connections.  While this thesis 
still feels that the theater building design is important to the neighborhoods, the open 
space and buildings that formed those spaces required more attention to achieve the 
main goals of this thesis.  
 Those main goals were to establish connections within Baltimore, both at a 
city scale and at a neighborhood scale. Here at the end, it was successful it that 
attempt, it established connections between major city amenities and it re-knitted a 
fragment landscape to reconnect Locust Point back together with the rest of the 
peninsula. This thesis managed three different scales of design, so that they informed 
each other and stayed true to the big ideas of connection.   
 In closing, a quote from a critic reviewing this thesis, ?this is Baltimore; this 
is what Baltimore could be.?   
  
  
 
 114 
 
Bibliography 
 
Text 
 
1.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shopping_centre 
2.  Zucker, Paul  Town and Square: From the Agora to the Village Green.  Columbia     
University press, New York 1959 
 
3. Bacon, Edmund  Design of Cities  Penguin Group, New York. 1967 
4. Davey, Peter  ?Rationalsim is not enough? The Architectural Record, October 1987  
 pages 70-75 
 
5.  http://www.ci.baltimore.md.us/government/planning/compplan/index.html  
6. http://www.benfrederick.com/Info/ZoningSum.pdf  
7. ?Comprehensive Plan: Locust Point? Department of Planning, City of Baltimore 
 http://www.ci.baltimore.md.us/government/planning/images/locust%20point
%20plan.pdf 
 
8. ?Towards a Community Plan, Locust Point, Baltimore, Spring 2002?, Urban 
Studies and planning, UMD 
 
9. ?Revitalization of Key Highway? Department of Planning, City of Baltimore 
 http://www.riversideactiongroup.org/filemgmt_data/files/key%20highway%2
0presentation.pdf  
 
10.  http://pages.baltimorecountymd.com/history.htm  
 
11. ?The Market Common Paper? by John Catania 
 
12. Gindroz, Ray The Urban Design Handbook: Techniques and Working Methods 
W.W. Norton Co.  New York 2003 
13. Cramer, James Design plus Enterprise.  Ostberg, Norcross 1994 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 115 
 
Photos 
1. http://www.frankfurtfeinefotos.de/109-1000-M-2.jpg   
 Picture of Schirn, Frankfurt 
 
2. http://www.thais.it/itinerari/orlandi/lo_res/09a00574.jpg  
 Picture of Piazza della Signoria 
 
3. http://www.southbaltimore.com/cards/Peninsula.jpg  
 Picture of Locust Point