Client: Maryland Hillel
Location: College Park, Maryland
Status: Design Development

The Maryland Hillel will be a new 40,000 GSF mixed use building serving students at the University of Maryland, College Park. The program includes a large dining room and kosher kitchen, cafe, various classrooms, prayer spaces, offices, student lounge, demo kitchen, and study areas.

Columns define a portico at the front of the building. This portico serves as a welcoming entry point while also referencing the ubiquitous porticos of the University of Maryland. The columns the define the portico extend across the front of the building to create an arcade, a space that straddles inside and outside. Columns are exposed throughout the building to show that the portico continues throughout the building. Columns continue out to the Sukkah Terrace. Portico / arcade columns support the trellis. What if an entire building could be conceived as a welcoming portico?

Vertical AE was responsible for the Space Programming and Schematic Design and their partner firm, Curry Architects, serves as the Architect of Record. Vertical AE continues to serve as the design architect and developer representative.