Youth education center in Baltimore gets first students
By Rob Cassidy, Executive Editor
The Jean and Sidney Silber Center, a joint project of Building Design+Construction, the U.S. Green Building Council, and Parks & People Foundation, was officially dedicated June 14 in a ceremony at Druid Hill Park, Baltimore.
The modular structure will serve as a training center for “Branches,” Parks & People’s internship and summer jobs program for Baltimore youth ages 14 to 21. Students learn environmental skills, natural resource management, urban agriculture, and water quality monitoring.
“I even learned how to raise rainbow trout in the classroom,” said high school student Khyja McCray, a Branches intern.
Branches interns Zion Smith, Khyja McCray with Branches team leader Blake Wrigley.
The 600-sf structure was designed by Ziger/Snead Architects, with Morgan State University’s Architecture Department. It was built by Modular Genius. Consulting firm Synthesis completed final installation.
Product contributions and financial support were provided by Access Lighting, Chicago Faucets, Dow Corning, LaCantina Doors, LG, MechoSystems, Modular Building Institute, nora Systems, Valspar, and Zola European Windows. Mark Line Industries produced the metal cladding.
The Jean and Sidney Silber Foundation provided additional funding. BD+C exhibited the structure at Greenbuild 2015, in Washington, D.C.