PROJECT  Middle Branch Fitness & Wellness Center

LOCATION Baltimore, Maryland, US​

ARCHITECT GWWO Architects

CLIENT Baltimore City Recreation and Parks

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN TEAM Alan Reed, Kate Scurlock, Kathy Speicher Melluish, Eric Feiss, Anthony McCallister, Kevin Miller, Jack Byrnes & Jessica Dancer

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT Floura Teeter Landscape Architects
CONTRACTOR Whiting-Turner Contracting Co.

ENGINEERS
EwingCole
MK Consulting Engineers
Min Engineering
Min Engineering

PHOTOGRAPHER Tom Holdsworth

CONSULTANTS (if applicable)
Aquatic Facility Design; Aquatic Design; 183 Moore Street, Millersburg, PA 17061; Brent Boyer; brent@afdinc.design; 717.692.0539
Holly Oak Consulting; Environmental Consultant; 303 Sycamore Road, Severna Park, MD 21146; Kevin Haines; khaines@hollyoakconsulting.com; 443.906.3419
RK&K; Geotechnical Engineer; 700 East Pratt Street, Suite 500, Baltimore, MD 21202; Scott Berkheimer; sberkheimer@rkk.com; 410.462.9474
Geo-Technology Associates; Environmental Engineer; 14280 Park Center Drive, Suite A, Laurel MD 20707; Kristen Daly; KDaly@gtaeng.com; 202.680.3997

PROJECT COMPLETION DATE  9/30/2022

PROJECT SUMMARY
Uniquely sited at the end of the Gwynns Falls Trail, the new Middle Branch Fitness & Wellness Center is designed to foster connections within the Cherry Hill community and greater region. An iconic beacon formed by two volumes—one high, one low—joined by a translucent nexus, the building anchors Reedbird Park and is the new heart of the community. Easily accessible by foot, bus, or car, the center offers local and regional community members a variety of interior and exterior space for interaction and recreation.

Entering the center from the community plaza, visitors are immediately welcomed into the building’s nexus—an active, light-filled central circulation and fitness space that expands to provide views of the park as visitors move through the center. Located within the high volume to the northeast, the multipurpose gymnasium is sized for basketball and volleyball while the natatorium offers lap and leisure-style pools and is connected to the outdoor community pool. The lower volume to the southwest houses a community classroom and multi-purpose fitness room with views of the park and a flexible maker space that benefits from access to the outdoor plaza.

On the second floor, an elevated walking/running track—specifically requested and highly valued by the community—loops through the gymnasium, natatorium, and fitness space, linking the three building volumes together. Open to below, the track activates the building by delivering views out to the surrounding park and waterfront and within to all the activity inside.

JURY COMMENTS (if applicable)

IMAGES – CAPTIONS & CREDITS

Image 1  Entry from Community Plaza / Tom Holdsworth
Image 2  Entry from Community Plaza / Tom Holdsworth
Image 3  Lobby / Tom Holdsworth
Image 4  View from North / Tom Holdsworth
Image 5  Entry / Tom Holdsworth
Image 6  Entry at Dusk / Tom Holdsworth
Image 7  Natatorium / Tom Holdsworth
Image 8  Fitness Area / Tom Holdsworth

MEDIA FOR DOWNLOAD
Project PDF