Board of Directors

SPOTLIGHT...

Gordon Ingerson, AIA was born in Annapolis and spent his childhood in several states including Connecticut, California, and Maryland. During high school, he seriously considered following his father’s footsteps into engineering. While talented in mathematics and science, he also enjoyed art classes, and ultimately decided to combine his artistic and analytical interests in the study of architecture. Gordon entered the University of Cincinnati as the new dean, John Meunier, expanded the architecture school to an international student body, and created cross-discipline studios and critique juries by adding artists, urban planners, engineers, and interior designers. Gordon earned certificates in historic preservation and urban planning, had a variety of internships in Ohio, and after graduating in 1983, worked there for awhile.

In 1984, Gordon came to Baltimore to work, sequentially, for Beck, Powell & Parsons, Architectural Graphic Systems (a branch of CHK), and Gould Architects. He has been with Grant Architects since 1999, specializing in campus design and planning, historic renovation, and transportation planning. The firm’s work includes a variety of project types – educational, assisted living (mostly in renovated historic structures), medical, and research. However, it focuses particularly upon projects which require unique approaches to contextual design in sensitive areas and which incorporate new types of organizational structures. Several of these singular buildings have become prototypes for the original clients.

After some involvement in the AIAS at Cincinnati, Gordon joined AIABaltimore in 1984. He has been active in the Urban Design Committee (UDC), first as a member, and then co-chair since 1990. Several years ago, the group consciously decided to move from doing studies and reports in the hope of then generating interest among civic leaders, to addressing specific areas where this interest already exists. The committee has also developed contacts within the community and various interest groups in an effort to advocate urban design as a consideration in the decision-making process. The UDC has been especially active since the last mayoral campaign, interviewing top candidates, and informing the new administration of major urban design issues.

This early work with Mayor O’Malley has led to several successful partnerships and efforts with the Department of Planning, the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), and the Baltimore Development Corporation. The UDC has aided DHCD in conducting charettes and reviews of several projects, including Perkins Homes, Lexington Terrace, Lafayette Courts, and the Uplands Apartments. The committee was involved in the 2001 Zoning Conference that was sponsored jointly by AIABaltimore and the City, and has participated in the planning process for the proposed Eastside Biotechnology Park, as well as the Westside and many other areas. It has provided suggestions to the Planning Commission, in conjunction with the AIABaltimore Board of Directors, as part of the process of selecting a new Planning Director for the city.

The UDC maintains connections with a number of organizations concerned with planning and urban design issues, including the Neighborhood Design Center, the Baltimore Development Corporation, 1000 Friends of Maryland, Baltimore Heritage, Preservation Maryland, Citizens Planning and Housing Association, the Greater Baltimore Committee (GBC), and many others. The contacts with the GBC have recently resulted in a joint initiative designed to leverage the assets of both organizations in an effort to promote the built environment in Baltimore.

The UDC has also made several specific urban design proposals that the committee feels could have city-wide influence. The most notable of these are the creation of a new civic space, the “Orioles Victory Plaza” north of Camden Station, and the relocation of the Arena as part of a scheme to create a second waterfront on the Middle Branch River.

Since joining the board of directors in 2000, Gordon has also served as secretary, treasurer, and, now, president-elect. As he approaches his presidency in January, Gordon states, "I have enjoyed working with the idealistic, opinionated, and extremely stubborn members of the Urban Design Committee, as well as the other members and staff of AIA Baltimore. It is good to know that none of us is alone as we all push that boulder uphill a little farther each day."