Towson University’s Smith Hall Redesign
Located just north of Baltimore, Towson University has a national and international reputation in arts and communication. To build upon this reputation, JMT Architecture’s Higher Education studio is working with the university to redesign Smith Hall to support Towson’s academic programs, media production projects, and workforce demand initiatives.
The completed building will allow the school to combine the Mass Communications, Communications Studies, and Electronic Media and Film departments into one facility, providing offices, student common spaces, and specialized studios and labs for student and faculty work.
JMT Architecture is leading the design team as the Architect of Record on this nearly $135 million project, working alongside design architect Shepley Bulfinch.
Rendering courtesy of Shepley Bulfinch
The current Smith Hall has five stories and consists of two connected wings: East Smith, which was constructed in 1964, and West Smith, added in 1976. To bring the building up to modern standards, East Smith was demolished during the summer of 2024 and will be replaced with a unique new structure added to West Smith that suits the program. The existing West Smith will be completely reskinned, reconfigured, and reimagined for this new use.
Both wings will have a modern look with terracotta and glass cladding. They will receive significant structural improvements and new building systems for climate control. The updated Smith Hall forms an edge to a planned green space extending from the Glen up to the College of Health Professions, completed in 2024.
Smith Hall’s new design will also include sustainability-focused elements to help the building achieve LEED gold certification. The adaptive reuse of West Smith will save embodied energy, reducing the overall carbon footprint of the project. Additionally, the facility will use a geothermal system for climate control, a first for Towson’s campus.
Inside, Smith Hall will host classrooms for general education courses as well as a variety of specialized spaces for communication and art projects. These will include two TV studios, two sound stages, advanced recording studios, a journalism newsroom, animation and VR labs, a focus group suite, and more.
In addition to supporting the combined communications and film programs, the building will also house the university’s Teaching and Learning Center (TLC) and Faculty Academic Center for Excellence (FACET). TLC provides active-learning and student collaboration areas, as well as faculty and staff offices. FACET provides resources and skills development opportunities for faculty across all aspects of their careers, including research, teaching, and mentorship. Together, these spaces in the new Smith Hall will enhance student and faculty growth.
With phase one demolition nearly done, the new Smith Hall is anticipated to be complete in 2027. Featuring an updated exterior and new building systems, new student and faculty spaces, and specialty spaces that boost the school’s existing capabilities, the new Smith Hall will serve the needs of Towson’s campus community for decades to come.