Westminster Schools K-12 Campus Improvements

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT

Westminster Schools K-12 Campus Improvements Atlanta, Georgia

One of the nation’s leading independent K-12 schools, the Westminster School in Atlanta, Ga., embarked on campus-wide improvements to renovate and build top-notch facilities to match its prestigious academic reputation. This multi-phased project includes the construction of a new administrative welcome center, classroom building renovations and new addition, new central energy plant, 405-car precast parking deck, and replacement of the football stadium and surrounding hardscapes and landscapes. Tailored specifically to the school, the project underscores the value of applying lessons learned to ensure goals are met.

PART OF THE PLAN The Masterplan for this project was developed in 2012 and was created without the benefit of a “Standard” or a “Program.” Most K-12 projects are built with a standard or a common program that evolves around the Department of Education guidelines for curriculum. Materials are typical and generally basic, which allows them to be more widely used, accelerating construction thanks to the repeatability of design and materials. The Westminster School project was neither standard nor common; it was 100 percent custom to ensure it incorporated community and faculty input into the design process.

Because the client essentially had a blank canvas, it challenged the team to complete phase one as perfectly as possible, as it would serve as the foundation for the remaining phases. While the team worked to capture the client’s vision in the design, it wasn’t until construction began that certain aspects became clearer and required changes.

The evolution of the design in the first phase resulted in more than 550 potential change items, half of which had to be executed within 10 months of phase one. “The first phase of the project presented a learning curve for all parties for the design and execution of the client’s vision, but because we were meticulous in perfecting it, the exercise set us up for success for the forthcoming phases,” said Senior Project Manager Travis Alford.

IMPROVING THE PROCESS The team leveraged lessons learned from the first phase to mitigate any potential delays further changes might cause. As changes are part of the process, the team was able to avoid the time crunch, saving them from adversely affecting our schedule. “We took what we learned from the first phase—in schedule and design—to start conversations with the design team early enough to make changes either via submittals or via issuance of new documents,” said Alford. “This gave us more time to plan the work and execute without the added pressure of schedule impacts. For example, in our early coordination meetings for overhead and wall device locations (switches, control pads, thermostats, projectors, etc.), we worked with the architect for aesthetics while also incorporating the functionality from the low voltage/audio visual contractors hired by the owner to ensure it fit both needs before work began.”

A FUTURE OF SUCCESS With a rich tradition as one of the top private schools in Georgia, it was important to the client to not only update their buildings, but also ensure they delivered students a unique educational experience while setting them up for success beyond their walls. “This project brought the school closer to the higher education institution feel that many—if not all—of these K-12 students will experience upon high school graduation,” said Alford.

Bringing this project on board has boosted the excitement and enrollment of this K-12 school and has opened the doors for construction viability on this campus for the next five years.”

TRAVIS ALFORD, SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER

The new administrative building, known as the Barge Commons, will be home to the school’s president, as well as Student Admissions and Alumni Affairs offices. Renovations to the existing football stadium include new precast bleachers, locker rooms, press box, concessions building, and tailgating plaza, while the existing three-story classroom building, Campbell Hall, also saw improvements such as all new MEP, high-end finishes, and updated technology. New construction includes a central outdoor dining courtyard and threestory classroom addition known as Hawkins Hall. The new facility features floating classrooms, a state-of-the-art integrated learning lab (known as the CAT lab), a cafeteria, and open collaborative spaces.

The project completed in April 2021.