SNF Agora Institute
A New Construction Project
LEE²DESIGN is currently serving as the design consultant for Renzo Piano Building Workshop (RPBW) and Ayers Saint Gross during the design and construction phases of the new SNF Agora Institute on the Johns Hopkins University Homewood campus in Baltimore, MD.
Located on the edge of campus, the Agora Institute will be the home of an academic and public forum devoted to the identification, design, and testing of new mechanisms to strengthen civic engagement and inclusive dialogue worldwide. As the name Agora (an Ancient Athenian place of gathering) suggests, the Institute will facilitate open discussion for all citizens, acting as a point of connection between students and the local community.
The design of the building will visually reflect the mission of the Institute, embodying its commitment to maintaining an open relationship with the broader world. For example, starting from the ground floor, the welcoming, transparent exterior will function to invite in the surrounding community. Once inside, each subsequent level will provide an amalgamation of gathering spaces that vary in size and function and promote conversion between visitors and students. Finally, by housing numerous faculty offices, labs, classrooms, meeting rooms, open workspaces, and a large multifunctional space for conferences, speaker presentations, public gatherings, and art exhibitions, the Institute will become a vibrant social hub that unites the JHU academic body with the broader cultural sphere.
Client: Johns Hopkins University
Location: Baltimore, MD
Status: under construction
Collaboration: Renzo Piano Building Workshop, Ayers Saint Gross
Image Credits:
Renzo Piano Building Workshop, Justin Lee