FIRM + PEOPLE

ArchPlan Inc. is pleased to announce its 20th year of existence.
The company was founded by principal Klaus Philipsen, FAIA in 1992 after he left his position as Associate at Cho, Benn Holback, then known as Cho, Wilks and Benn. ArchPlan, located in downtown's westside, completed projects spanning a wide range of preservation, adaptive re-use new construction and transportation projects as well as masterplanning. Projects in the Baltimore area include the rehabilitation of the historic Marlborough Apartments on Eutaw Place (the former home of the Cone sisters and their Matisse collection), the rehabilitation of the art deco Samster Apartments in Park Heights, the adaptive reuse of a group of abandoned industrial buildings in Mt Vernon for what is now known as Printers Square Apartments, luxury condominiums on Aliceanna Street in Fells Point, contemporary townhomes in Station North, countless rowhouse rehabs and a number of community centers and small retail projects. The Sphinx Club museum and restaurant in Druid Heights is still awaiting construction so is the Red Line for which ArchPlan has been an urban design and architectural consultant for the last six years. Projects in the region include the design of a $15 million bus transit center in Langley Park, MD (still to be constructed) and a 120 acre brownfield masterplan in Phoenixville, PA. The 20 year anniversary is an excellent time to step back, review, regroup and consider new approaches. After a very successful year 2011 the principal Klaus Philipsen is now looking for new ways to apply his wealth of experience in a meaningful way. Stay posted. A great thank you to all employees, clients, and consultants who made ArchPlan and its projects happen!


Klaus Philipsen, principal at Archplan will do one of the lessons of CivicLAB, a new educational program of AIA Baltimore held in the spring to support leadership development

Archplan Designer Mandy Palasik Spotlight in AIABaltimore Nov/Dec 2011

ArchPlan selected for rowhouse rehabilitations in EBDI

December 10, 2009

ArchPlan has recently been selected by Baltimore Community Lending (BCL) and East Baltimore Development Inc. (EBDI) as one of three firms to assist homeowners in East Baltimore in developing rehabilitation plans for their homes.  The EBDI Home Rehab Program provides grant funds to East Baltimore preservation block homeowners to undertake repairs that will make their homes safer, more functional, more attractive, and more valuable; the program is an alternative provided by EBDI in lieu of relocation.

ArchPlan has previously participated in master planning in the EBDI area as a subconsultant to Sasaki Associates of Boston; this work included developing the Phase II Preservation Report which included a focus on owner-occupied housing.  Subsequently,  ArchPlan and Sulton Campbell Britt were retained as consultants to EBDI to study how the rowhouses identified for preservation could be renovated and be valuable assets in the overall master plan. This preliminary assessment laid the groundwork for the current project and also served as a basis for obtaining contractor?s cost estimates for EBDI to seek funding. 

The project is expected to begin early in 2010.

Printer's Square receives 2007 Baltimore Heritage Preservation Project Award

July 2007

Printer's Square Apartments was selected as one of only a handful of preservation projects to receive an award from Baltimore Heritage in 2007.  Representatives from the design team, the developer, and the contractor were on hand to receive the award at the annual meeting of Baltimore Heritage, held at the Engineer's Club at the Garrett-Jacobs Mansion on Mount Vernon Place.

Baltimore Heritage, Inc. is the citywide, nonprofit historic and architectural preservation organization. The organization works to promote the preservation, appreciation, and economic potential of Baltimore's distinctive architecture, historic neighborhoods, and heritage resources through advocacy, education, and technical assistance.

Photo: Brough Schamp

Station North Townhomes honored by Masonry Institute of Maryland

November 2007

Station North Townhomes was selected by the Masonry Institute of Maryland to receive a 2007 Design and Craftsmanship Award.

The project was constructed by Southway Builders, Inc., with Coventry Masonry as the masonry contractor.

The contemporary townhomes near Penn Station feature veneer walls of brick in stack bond above a base of split-face concrete block veneer in running bond.  Exposed grey block is also expressed as a facade treatment on side and rear elevations.  Recessed and projecting courses emphasize the geometry of the facades.

The Masonry Institute of Maryland holds an annual awards ceremony to recognize and reward the architects and masons who worked to create the most exquisite masonry projects found in Baltimore City and the surrounding counties.

Photo: Eric Salsbery, EBS Photography

Mayor Designee Sheila Dixon speaks at Sharp-Leadenhall ribbon-cutting

December 2006

Mayor Designee Sheila Dixon and Baltimore Housing Commissioner Paul Graziano spoke at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for new and rehabilitated housing in Sharp-Leadenhall.  Praising the collaboration among the neighborhood association, the developer, and HABC, the officials highlighted the preservation of affordable housing within the City.  As part of the project team, ArchPlan designed the rehabilitation of 23 single-family units and three new infill residential structures.  Construction is slated for completion in early fall 2007.

ArchPlan President Klaus Philipsen receives 8th Annual Larry Reich Award

October 26, 2004

Klaus Philipsen, AIA was awarded the 8th Annual Larry Reich Award at Neighborhood Design Center's 36th Anniversary Gala.

The Larry Reich Award, co-sponsored by NDC and the Baltimore City Department of Planning, is given annually to an individual whose volunteer and professional work exemplifies a special commitment to community-based planning and design.  The Award was established by colleagues of long-time Baltimore City Planning Director Larry Reich to commemmorate his pioneering concern for "bottom-up" inclusion of grassroots groups in neighborhood initiatives.  Larry Reich was planning director from 1965-1990 and was a central figure in the City's Downtown Renaissance.

The award was presented by Mark Cameron, Executive Director of NDC, and Otis Rolley, current Baltimore City Planning Director.  Past recipients are Ellen Janes, Shirl Byron, Karen Lewand, Carolyn Boitnott, Chris Ryer, Jelili Ogundele & Maria Johnson, and Charles Duff.

Groundbreaking ceremony held for The Aliceanna

The groundbreaking ceremony was held on August 13, 2003.  Attendees included Mayor O'Malley, City Council President Sheila Dixon, City Housing Commissioner Paul Graziano, HRL Equities, Harbor Realty, ArchPlan staff and community representatives.