HIGH SKILLED CONSTRUCTION WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT | CARVER VOCATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL | ADAPTIVE REUSE PASSIVE HOUSE CERTIFIED ROWHOME FOR OWNERSHIP | Baltimore City, Md

HANDS ON & HEAD START...Building a Future for Baltimore

The Challenge: 

Our partners at Carver Vocational High School and the Requity Foundation came to us with a challenge that goes far beyond a typical renovation. The question was profound: How can we transform a vacant Baltimore rowhome into a living classroom—a place where students gain hands-on skills in high-performance construction while directly serving their community's needs? The goal was to create a transformative space rooted in vocational education and neighborhood impact.

The FADE Approach: 

Our FADE philosophy was the perfect fit to bring this vision to life. As the project's Design Architect and Construction Consultant, our role is to guide the entire process. We began by creating a full permit set for an adaptive reuse to rigorous Passive House standards, designing a curriculum in the form of blueprints. Our hands-on Education and mentorship role involves translating these complex plans into teachable moments on-site, guiding students and educators through the challenges of building a resilient, energy-efficient home. This project is a new model for equitable Development, transforming a vacant property into a hub of opportunity and service, including a working kitchen operated by Requity to provide meals for neighbors in need.

The Outcome: 

Carver House is more than a building; it is the powerful outcome of this collaboration. Students are gaining invaluable, real-world experience in high-skilled trades, constructing a home that will not only stand as a model of sustainability but will also actively serve their community. It is a beacon of possibility among tough conditions, proof that by designing for equity, we can build a better future for Baltimore.

We have the expertise to combine architecture, development, and education to create urban projects that build community and provide opportunity. Talk to us about your project.