Towson, Maryland has in recent years been going through somewhat of a renaissance. With new commercial development and increase in housing, what was once a bedroom community is quickly becoming a desirable downtown district. But one amenity that downtown Towson still lacks is an active public space that can accommodate a variety of civic activities. Patriot Plaza has the potential to fill this role and be the symbolic center of downtown Towson.

Currently, the Plaza stands as a missed opportunity. Built in the tradition of the International Style, the plaza is a relic of outdated planning principles that favored austere, formal environments for urban civic spaces. The current plaza lacks function as an undifferentiated, scaleless space that is cut off from street life by fences, berms, and poorly placed monuments. The defunct fountain notwithstanding, the over-abundance of hardscape wastes space that can be otherwise be programmed for active uses. The one habitable seating area on the east edge is shaded by trees and populated with furnishings, but suffers from adjacent noisy mechanical equipment.

The proposed design transforms the Plaza to become an inviting, active environment that can accommodate a variety of activities ranging from casual to formal. At the center is a lawn, providing a flexible space for picnicking, seating, assembly, or even light recreation. The curved edge of the lawn creates natural pathways linking to the Historic Courthouse Gardens. Around this lawn are carefully placed elements that provide spaces for a range of social interactions. Meanwhile, the embankment on the north is transformed to be an amphitheater space that not only provides seating, but also becomes a grand stair to the plaza from W. Pennsylvania Avenue. At the south end, this amphitheater is replicated, but as a stepped, occupied roof deck atop a cafe that fronts W. Chesapeake Avenue, providing much needed commercial activity on the street while also attracting activity to the Plaza. The focal point of the Plaza is a covered wood deck that doubles as a park pavilion and a performance stage. Events on the stage will activate the lawn, amphitheater and even the courtyard steps to become a popular venue for the arts ranging from concerts to outdoor movie screenings. The pavilion also provides a pleasant shaded seating area shielded from mechanical equipment noise by the masonry wall forming the stage backdrop. Meanwhile, connectivity to street life is improved by the removal of fencing, berms, and relocation of monuments to be in front of the Courthouse. Overall, the design transforms the austere Patriot Plaza to be a destination for both casual gathering and programmed events, establishing it as a functional and meaningful part of Downtown Towson.