Sessions & Events

MINI SESSION: Charm City Concrete

Sunday, October 26, 2025  2:30 PM - 3:30 PM, H - Blake

Baltimore’s rich architectural and cultural history is often defined by its notable masonry construction, but concrete also played a significant role as a new and evolving material during the city's growth. This one-hour mini-session, presented by the History of Concrete Committee 120, will delve into how concrete was used in Baltimore’s historic landscape—from early implementation to landmark preservation. Local experts will share stories behind notable concrete structures, revealing how this once-novel material contributed to the city’s resilience and architectural heritage.

Learning Objectives:
(1) Examine how concrete technologies have been implemented in Baltimore’s built environment;
(2) Discuss current technologies and techniques used in the preservation and restoration of historic concrete structures, emphasizing their role in maintaining both structural integrity and historical context;
(3) Examine the evolution of concrete design and construction techniques unique to Baltimore’s landscape and needs;
(4) Recognize the value of documenting local concrete history to inform future innovation and sustainability.

This session has been approved by AIA and ICC for 1 PDH (0.1 CEU). Please note: You must attend the live session for the entire duration to receive credit. On-demand sessions do not qualify for PDH/CEU credit.

Preserving the Peace Cross: Restoration Efforts Following the Supreme Court Ruling

Presented By: Amy Hollis
Affiliation: Worcester Eisenbrandt
Description: The long legal battle over the Peace Cross in Bladensburg, MD, culminated in a Supreme Court verdict in favor of allowing it to remain in its current location, at the intersection of Annapolis Road, Baltimore Avenue, and Bladensburg Road. Work immediately began on preparations to repair and maintain the monument. Worcester Eisenbrandt, who had worked on other J.J. Earley monuments, such as St. Philip and James in Baltimore, Meridian Hill Park in DC, and the Bird House at the National Zoo, was hired to perform the work. Because the construction documents had been lost in a fire at the Earley Studio, the project included an investigation phase prior to construction. This led to several discoveries about the construction process and previous repairs that was extremely useful and informed the subsequent repairs.

Engineering the Walters Museum Annex: A Concrete Sculpture in Time

Presented By: Richard Magnani
Affiliation:
Description: Bringing a “sculpture made of concrete” to life in building form is no small feat—but through creative vision and cutting-edge engineering, this ambition was realized in the construction of the Walters Museum Annex in Baltimore, Maryland. This presentation will explore the design and construction of this iconic structure, one of the early examples of post-tensioned concrete used in building construction in the city. The speaker, a member of the original structural engineering team, will share insights into the bold engineering decisions that shaped the Annex, as well as personal stories from the field during its construction. With over five decades of continued involvement in the building’s evolution—through repairs, retrofits, and adaptive modifications—the speaker offers a rare, firsthand perspective on the long-term performance and preservation of a modern architectural landmark.