J. Neal Design

We believe architecture is more than structures—it’s about equity, opportunity, and community. That’s why we’re proud to be the design architect and construction consultant for Carver House, a transformative space rooted in vocational education and neighborhood impact.

Carver House is more than a building; it’s a living, working classroom where students gain hands-on experience in construction and design while directly contributing to their community. Inside, organizations like Requity [] operate a working kitchen, providing meals to neighbors in need. It’s a beacon of possibility among tough conditions, proof that design can drive change.

Our role is to ensure that Carver House doesn’t just stand—it serves. From design solutions to construction problem-solving, we’re here to support students, educators, and partners in building a future where vocational training leads to real-world impact.

𝘿𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙚𝙦𝙪𝙞𝙩𝙮. 𝘽𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙪𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚.
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Carver House, Passive House Rehabilitation, Baltimore Row Homes, Vacant Row Homes, High-Performance Standards, Stone Foundation Homes, Baltimore Bay Window Homes, Material Transitions, Rehabilitation Projects, Vocational Education, Architecture For Equity, Construction Consulting

Congrats to the ARCH 611 students at on completing their final! Watching them grow in integrating energy modeling with design tools like Rhino, SketchUp, and EnergyPlus has been inspiring.

From optimizing window-to-wall ratios to refining net-zero strategies, these students took on real-world challenges with precision and creativity. Huge thanks to Professor Woo and the team for fostering such an innovative learning environment.

Excited to see where these future architects take their knowledge next!
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Architectural Design Education, Energy Modeling, Building Performance Analysis, Net-Zero Design, Sustainable Architecture, Rhino 3D, SketchUp, Window-To-Wall Ratio, Architectural Students, University of Maryland Architecture Program, Energy Efficient Design

Engineering meets artistry on this one ⬆️

Phaan Howng [] had a vision—massive, mutant snake plants taking over a building—and I got the call to make it structurally (and scientifically) possible. As the fabricator and engineer behind Big Ass Snake(plant)s On A Plane, my role is to take her wild, action-movie-scale concept and make it a reality—without defying physics (too much).

These aren’t just leaves. They’re 16-foot-long, 4-foot-wide sculptural forms that have to appear to grow from the Charles Street Garage. That means designing custom mounting systems, ensuring weight distribution holds up against the elements, and integrating lighting that will make these plants feel alive. We’re working with the same lighting tech that was used on the Natty Boh Tower—meaning the veins of these snake plants will pulse, mutate, and glow, creating an organic takeover of the building.

A project like this is a constant puzzle—aligning the artistic integrity with real-world engineering. It’s about problem-solving in the weeds (literally), ensuring every bracket, every anchor, and every lighting element not only works but enhances the experience.
Honored to be working alongside Phaan, Malcolm Majer at Majer Metal Works, and the team bringing Inviting Light [] to life, led by Derrick Adams [] and supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies.

Spring 2025, these plants are coming to life. Stay tuned. 🌱

Fabricator -

The 𝘽𝙈𝙊𝙍𝙀 𝘽𝙐𝙄𝙇𝘿 𝙁𝙊𝙍𝙒𝘼𝙍𝘿 whitepaper, authored by Brendan McCluskey of Trident Builders, outlines a bold strategy: factory-built, energy-efficient row homes designed to revitalize communities without displacing residents.

We are proud to be actively engaged in these discussions alongside Professor Thompson and Trident Builders to explore innovative approaches to affordable, sustainable, and modular housing.

With a strong focus on collaboration and adaptability, we’re helping drive conversations that bring together developers, architects, and community leaders to rethink how Baltimore builds forward.

Credit ⬇️
Author: Brendan McCluskey
Creative Artist: Laura Little