University of Baltimore
Student Union Market Analysis and Programming
Baltimore, MD
The University of Baltimore retained Brailsford & Dunlavey in 1993 to provide planning and programming services for the construction of a new 65,000 GSF student center on the University's downtown Baltimore campus. B&D's work included the development of overall project goals and objectives, assurance of the project's compliance with the University's master plan, and site analysis for several proposed sites. B&D's detailed market analysis included user interviews, a detailed written survey, and local retail market analysis with area brokers; in addition, local market information was supplemented by research on national models for college unions and current literature on student center planning.
This data informed both the final market-responsive program and the detailed financial analysis, which enabled the University to reconcile program needs with debt capacity. Programmatic elements were envisioned to include a food court, bookstore, child care area, student health component, career services office, and other programmatic spaces.
In 2001, B&D updated its study and refined the program elements of the student center.
The 38,000 square foot, $20 million facility opened in April 2006. And in 2006, this project was awarded the Award of Merit by Mid-Atlantic Construction Magazine, while Baltimore Magazine labeled the facility as one of the best buildings constructed in the city in the previous decade.
