Kicking off the International Design Competition for Baltimore’s Middle Branch

In the late 1970’s, the Rouse Company revolutionized waterfront planning with the revitalization and development of Baltimore’s renowned Inner Harbor. The next 50 years and the future of 21st century waterfront design might just emerge here in Baltimore on the Middle Branch, Baltimore’s other waterfront.  The Middle Branch is now the focus of a high profile design competition sponsored by the Parks and People Foundation—over the next four weeks, design teams will study and develop proposals for the future of over 11 miles of the Middle Branch and for the residents of South Baltimore. From an initial pool of 50 world class landscape architecture teams, the final three teams are now led by Hargreaves Associates, James Corner Field Operations, and West8.

Unknown Studio’s Claire Agre and Meg Baldwin participated in a multi-day kickoff, as local partner to the Hargreaves Design Team, also comprised of Biohabitats, Moffatt Nichol, Toole Design Group, The Neighborhood Design Center, Assedo Consulting and Living Design Lab.  Over a two-day span, our team engaged with South Baltimore Residents, City and Private Stakeholders, Congressmen, Kayakers, Rowers, Fishers and Birders. Representatives from Baltimore City Recreation & Parks, Rails to Trails, Weller Development, South Baltimore Gateway Partnership and many others.

We are thrilled to be on this visionary team and participating in what will be a transformative project for our hometown of Baltimore. Watch this page for updates on public comment opportunities and presentations to come.