Mother Seton Academy GymnasiumMother Seton Academy

By thoughtfully designing and programming a tiny lot, the Mother Seton Academy gained a learning garden, pocket park, and outdoor classroom for their middle school students.

Statistics

Construction Cost
$3 Million
Year Completed
2019
Square Feet
6,800
Acres
< 1

Team Members Involved

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Marianne K. Crampton, PE
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Steve McCalmont
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George Bakalyar
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Seth Glasser​

Partners

Architect | GWWO Inc. / Architects

800 Wyman Park Drive # 300
Baltimore, MD 21211
(410) 332-1009

Project Overview

Mother Seton Academy is an inner City, tuition-free Catholic middle school, which recognized an opportunity when four adjacent row homes were demolished – the school decided to add a gymnasium to its campus. This new stand-alone gym building gives students a competition basketball court and will host physical education classes.

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Our Approach

MK provided civil engineering, landscape architecture, and cost estimating during both the planning and design phases of this project. Thoughtfully designing the exterior spaces to maximize the engagement and interest of the students, MK designed a learning garden and an outdoor classroom/pocket park alongside the building.

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The Results

A raised micro-biofiltration planter within the learning garden appropriately treats stormwater. This feature also acts as a teachable moment – roof drainage is piped through a natural spring head, discharging down a rain chain and into the planter. Signage describes a filter section of mulch, planting media, stone, and underdrain pipes, explaining the treatment process.

The pocket park is lush with native plants and pollinator plans. There is also an opportunity for the students to create and care for insect houses and bird houses.

Frederick County Public Schools Blue Heron Elementary School

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Image Credit: GWWO

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Image Credit: Murphy & Dittenhafer

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MK is practiced in the legislative and development procedures, policies, and personnel associated with the Baltimore City review and approval process.

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Baltimore County Public Schools Berkshire Elementary School

The site design for this prototype school incorporated challenging typography, innovative stormwater management, upgraded utilities, safe access, and phasing to create a beautiful new school for the community.

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