Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

California Private School Debuts Renovated Library

  • By Matt Jones
  • 04/04/23

Santa Catalina School, a private school in Monterey, Calif., recently debuted the complete interior renovation of the campus’ Sister Mary Kieran Library, according to a news release. Santa Catalina is an all-girls private school for day students and boarding students in grades 9–12 and a co-ed learning environment for students in grades PreK–8. The school partnered with Anderson Brulé Architects for the project’s design and Avila Construction as the design-build contractor.

“The much-anticipated completion of our beloved library was a collaborative effort involving our project partners and our greater Santa Catalina community,” said Dr. Barbara Ostos, Head of School. “The guidance and planning of our project team were paramount in the project’s successful delivery as we worked to completely transform our library’s physical spaces and functions. Our new library gives our students inspiring new places to collaborate, discover, engage, and relax.”

The 14,000-square-foot, two-story space was originally built in the late 1960s and was upgraded to become a contemporary learning space. Features include a second-floor mezzanine, reading nooks, social spaces, collaboration areas, personal rest space, and new technology like interactive wall displays and teleconferencing equipment, the news release reports. The library also partnered with the school’s health & wellness program to add a kitchen, wellness coaching rooms, and multi-purpose space.

“The school is very close to my heart, and it was an honor to work alongside the talented ABA/Avila team in support of its continued success,” said ABA co-founder and Santa Catalina School alumna Pamela Anderson-Brulé, FAIA. “This transformed library is the outcome of close collaboration, hard work, and a shared commitment to the school’s educational vision.”

Sustainability features include high-performing window systems; improved building envelope insulation; an efficient MEP infrastructure; improved accessibility; and improved fire, life, and seismic safety systems.

“Our design-build team’s investment throughout the planning process was key to designing in step with the larger Santa Catalina community’s programmatic and experiential goals for the renovation,” said project architect Jason Hull, AIA. “Pam’s connection to the school was a strong asset in working with faculty, students, and other members of the school community to define the project’s goals and vision.”

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Tennessee Middle School Completes Health, Life Safety Renovations

    The Giles County Board of Education in Pulaski, Tenn., recently announced that a series of renovation projects has been completed at Bridgeforth Middle School, according to a news release. The district partnered with Wold Architects & Engineers and Brindley Construction to modernize building systems at one of the district’s oldest schools.

  • Universities Continue to Launch Multimillion-Dollar Campus Transformations

    What makes the current wave of campus development especially noteworthy is its emphasis on multi-use functionality and community integration. Institutions are no longer investing solely in academic or athletic facilities in isolation. Instead, they are creating destinations that blend recreation, health, housing, and event-driven economic activity.

  • California K–12 District Finishes Renovations on Multi-Sport Stadium

    The Alameda Unified School District (AUSD) in Alameda, Calif., recently announced the completion of a renovation project on the Encinal Jr. & Sr. High School stadium, according to a news release. The district partnered with Quattrocchi Kwok Architects (QKA) and Bothman Construction on the facility, and funding came from Bond Measure B.

  • Houston-Area High School Breaks Ground on 117,000SF Multi-Use Facility

    North Shore Senior High School, part of Galena Park ISD in Houston, Texas, recently broke ground on a new multi-use facility for student extracurriculars, according to a news release. The North Shore Multi-Use Facility will include dedicated practice and training space for the school’s athletics and fine arts programs.