The Firm views their work on the school’s facility renovations as an opportunity to aid multiple populations across campus.
Connected to the University of Maryland’s Jones-Hill House sports complex, formerly known as Cole Field House, is the original Head House. The three-story structure once served as the administrative wing of the field house on the College Park campus.
The university has brought Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects on board to provide architectural design, interior design, space planning, and selection of furniture, fixtures, and equipment as it renovates and transforms the historic Head House into a Cultural Center.
“As a firm, we specialize in renovations and rebranding existing buildings,” says Senior Architect Peter Schwab.
A haven for marginalized populations
The Cultural Center, now in the design phase, will provide gathering areas and individual cultural spaces for five often underrepresented groups: Latino, Asian Pacific Islander Desi American, Native American and Indigenous, multiracial and biracial, and students with disabilities.
“The impact of cultural centers is unequivocal,” wrote University President Dr. Darryll J. Pines, Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Patty Perillo, and Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion Dr. Georgina Dodge in an email to the campus. “They help students feel validated and uplifted by recognizing their cultural knowledge and assets and give them the tools to navigate some of the challenges they might face both in and outside of the classroom.”
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Each of the five centers will incorporate art from the represented communities. Each will include a multifunctional lounge for instruction and events and to provide a haven for students. Private offices will allow students to meet with counselors and specialists.
The Headhouse structure also will be home to the campus Veterans Center, Incentive Awards Program, Maryland English Institute, the Succeeds clinic for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, and Student Orientation and Transition Office.
“We are having numerous user input meetings,” says Schwab. “This will become a hub shared by these different groups and will address marginalized communities.”
Meeting a variety of needs
Throughout the design process, one of the biggest challenges for the architects is that staff with private offices and students who will use the multifunctional spaces – all want to have windows.
“This is a haven for students,” Schwab says. “We want that reinforced in each environment you walk into.”
M&D will add an elevator to the building and a handicapped-accessible front entrance. A new canopy and roof screen will grace the front of the building, which will get updated fire protection, electrical and heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems.
One of the most unique features of the rebranded Head House will be in the historic lobby. A interior wall of smart glass (or dynamic glass) currently overlookscurrently overlooks the Jones-Hill House interior practice field. At the push of a switch, the glass will darken so as not to reveal the training secrets of teams at practice.
“It’s a fantastic space,” says Schwab. “The glass wall provides an incredible view of the structure.”
Construction of the Cultural Center is to begin in early 2023 and be completed by early 2024.
“We want people to feel positive and happy and to have a place to escape to,” says Schwab. “It’s a place where, if you don’t know people here, you can get help from friends and counselors. We’re helping all these groups in a good way. These people are getting a space where they can connect with a group of friends and get support.”
Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects took on the Architecture, Interior Design, & Overall Project Management for the new Bedford Elementary School, and the outcome is impactful.