PROJECT  Poppleton Recreation Center

ARCHITECT  Twopoint Studio, LLC

LOCATION  Baltimore, Maryland, US​

PROJECT COMPLETION DATE  6/12/2025

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN TEAM  David Lopez AIA, Justin Graham, Drew Suljak AIA
OWNER/CLIENT  Anthony (Tony) Scott, Southwest Partnership
CONTRACTOR/CONSTRUCTION MANAGER  Plano-Coudon Construction, Darryl Richardson
PHOTOGRAPHER  Peter Hoblitzell
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
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STRUCTURAL ENGINEER  Adams Engineering, LLC
MECHANICAL ENGINEER  Design/Build by Contractor (Fidelity Mechanical Services)
ELECTRICAL ENGINEER  Design/Build by Contractor (Byrnes Electric, Inc.)
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SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT  
Once celebrated as a “Play Machine,” this iconic building served for decades as a vital social and recreational hub in Southwest Baltimore before closing in the early 2000s. Following more than two decades of vacancy, the 7,000 SF facility has been reimagined through a comprehensive renovation. The design restores an architecturally significant and long-dormant building while reestablishing a public asset that once again serves as a physical and symbolic cornerstone of the community.

SITE / challenge
Within a historic neighborhood suffering from decades of disinvestment and an area targeted for massive redevelopment by outside interests that would destroy the historic fabric and culture of the community, this building held deep cultural memory despite its deteriorating condition.

Preserving the building’s architectural identity, one of the few representative structures of mid-1970s late modern architecture, was important to understanding the role architecture plays in the history and development of the City. All while updating systems to improve energy efficiency, minimize maintenance, and provide a durable, accessible and fully functional recreation center for the community.

PROGRAM / action
Maintaining a utilitarian aesthetic that celebrated exposed building systems and maintained access to the adjacent community pool was core to the program. Based on community input, flexibility was necessary to support both structured and informal gatherings, emphasizing adaptability and accessibility for multi-generational users.

Programmatic activities varied from indoor games to computer labs, from meeting spaces and offices to public restrooms and lockers for the adjacent community pool. Building code compliance included upgrades to mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems in addition to providing a fully ADA-compliant facility that was previously accessible in appearance only.

SOLUTION / outcome
This project embodies architecture as infrastructure for equity. A collaboration made possible through deep partnerships between the community, non-profits, faith-based organizations, City agencies, local service organizations, and the design team included financial support and community engagement.

The solution focused on maintaining the original structure’s architectural identity while incorporating community needs. Technical items, including a new lift and reconfigured entries, ensured full ADA accessibility, while interior circulation and transparency were improved to support safety and flexibility. The design emphasized durable, low-maintenance materials while incorporating warmer, more inviting finishes to enhance the everyday experience.

JURY COMMENTS (If applicable)

MEDIA FOR DOWNLOAD
Project PDF

IMAGES (Captions and Photographer Credit)
1. Poppleton Recreation Center, Aerial, Photographer: Peter Hoblitzell
2. Poppleton Recreation Center, Exterior Elevation, Photographer: Peter Hoblitzell
3. Poppleton Recreation Center 2nd Floor Multi-purpose Room, Photographer: Design Team
4. Poppleton Recreation Center Interior, Photographer: Design Team
5. Poppleton Recreation Center Atrium, Photographer: Design Team
6. Poppleton Recreation Center Exterior, Photographer: Peter Hoblitzell
7. Poppleton Recreation Center Grand Opening Celebration, Photographer: Design Team
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