Academic

We design academic environments that reflect a school’s character and tradition; promote security, convenience and comfort; and express academic collaboration and technological sophistication. From master planning to interiors, we know how to maximize the value of an institution’s real estate, strengthen the endowment and enhance the academic experience.

Featured Projects
Gateway Student Residence, MICA
In a heavily trafficked location bordering one of Baltimore’s main highways, a new, unconventional residential building meets the challenges of the small site, addresses the urban context and creates a fitting gateway to the art school’s campus. Conceived as the result of an RTKL interoffice design contest, the 100,000-SF structure provides a stunning new landmark for downtown Baltimore.
University Town Center
Just over a mile from the University of Maryland College Park campus, several minutes from downtown D.C., and a stone’s throw from the Metro, an existing 1.4 million-SF office campus was converted into a vibrant mixed-use project. The office space, public spaces, residential tower and retail buildings provide an economic stimulus for the area and create a heart for a community.
Lafayette College South College Hall Renovation
This East Coast college’s relationship with RTKL began more than a decade ago with an award-winning renovation of a building on campus. Since then, the relationship has yielded the renovation of a gym into an academic building, the renovation of a residence hall, an update to the college’s adjacent business district, and planning and new construction of additional residences.
Bancroft Hall, U.S. Naval Academy
RTKL was hired to take on the first major renovation of the U.S. Naval Academy’s Bancroft Hall, the largest dormitory residence in the country. This phased redevelopment met challenges of preventing the interruption of everyday school life, designing in concert with the complex’s historic identity, and accommodating current and future technological and educational developments.
Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
The new Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory is part of a master plan for the future growth of the campus. Located on 381 acres in Laurel, Maryland, the plan improves security, and pedestrian and vehicular traffic patterns, in addition to updating the utility infrastructure. The multipurpose Building 17 contains offices, a computer lab and other services.
Mark Kendall CSI RIBA, Vice President
“Students today are seeking technological sophistication and academic collaboration; along with tradition and integrity; security and convenience. More than that, though, they are looking for places where they can carve a piece of the community for themselves. We help universities attract these students with design that balances tradition and innovation, expresses academic mission, and builds community. Ultimately, we aim to help universities create a sense of place now, while preparing them to grow over time.”