When the University of Baltimore School of Law moved into the newly constructed John and Frances Angelos Law Center, it signified a historic moment for the school. For the first time, all law school classrooms, faculty offices, administration, and the law library were united in a single building.
Designed by German architecture firm Behnisch Architekten with local architect of record Ayers Saint Gross and Washington, D.C. based mcla Architectural Lighting Design, the Law Center embodies a contemporary and functional aesthetic, achieving a sense of light and transparency, accessibility, openness, and green architecture. Twelve stories made of three interlocking L-shaped sections pivot around a narrow central atrium, which rises up through the heart of the building and connects the levels with a labyrinth of spiral staircases. This atrium space houses lounges, coffee bars and the lobby, offering an inviting space for students to study and collaborate.
Sustainability was key in the design of the LEED Platinum-certified building, which occupies 190,000 square feet on two-thirds of an acre. Lighting played a leading role in the interior design, not only in support of the building’s “green” initiative, but also as a prominent architectural feature. The atrium space is a prime example, where architectural elements of pure looking glass and exposed concrete are countered with a contemporary LED chandelier concept developed by Zumtobel in collaboration with Behnisch Architekten. With semitransparent and illuminated surfaces, these custom chandeliers mimic flying “open books”. Over 70 of these “books” are suspended in the atrium by two cords fixed at different angles, resulting in a playful and modern expression that creates an ambience of motion and energy.
In addition to the custom “book” chandeliers, Zumtobel provided a balance of circular ONDARIA and linear SLOTLIGHT LED luminaires throughout classrooms and study spaces. Custom surface mount downlights in round and square shapes complete the lighting design. The use of these LED luminaires throughout the building supports the Law Center’s environmentally-conscious commitment by minimizing energy consumption and extending the maintenance life of lighting.
“Given the transparency between spaces, it was critical that the LED color appear identical within each space and luminaire. For that reason, it was decided that one manufacturer would supply all of the interior LED fixtures. Zumtobel’s range of standard products and their innovative custom fabrications successfully linked the design team’s functional and aesthetic requirements, allowing the lighting to seamlessly integrate with the interior architecture.” –Scott Guenther, Associate Principal mcla Architectural Lighting Design