The Westminster Schools Libraries

The Westminster School, an independent school in Atlanta, GA, recognized the impact of globalization, technological advancements, and evolving educational research on its curriculum and infrastructure. The school wanted to align its campus facilities, specifically the junior high and high school libraries, with its strategic plan. These changes were necessary for the libraries to meet the demands of a modern learning environment.

Collaborative Planning Aligns with The Westminster School’s Strategic Vision

To guide these changes, The Westminster School and McMillan Pazdan Smith developed strategies for modernizing the library spaces. Through consultations with administrators, faculty, students, and staff, the design team evaluated the existing library spaces, furniture, and technology usage.

For the George Woodruff Junior High Library, the solution included expanding and connecting the library to the level below. For the Carlyle Fraser High School Library, an inefficient two-story addition was replaced with a more functional three-story structure. The new design incorporated flexible spaces for language, writing, and media labs, along with small and large group study rooms, seminar rooms, and classrooms.

The renovations resulted in library spaces that encourage access to faculty and IT support, promote collaborative learning, and offer quiet study and research areas. These changes directly aligned with the strategic priorities established in the school’s strategic plan. Detailed cost estimates were also provided to ensure the project’s implementation fit within the school’s long-term vision for growth.

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