Texas Junior High to See Renovations, Conversion to Middle School

Preparations are underway for significant renovations to Westwood Junior High School in Palestine, Texas. A recent news release from Pfluger Architects announced that voters in Westwood ISD approved a $38-million bond referendum in November 2021 aimed at improving the building’s capacity and security. Local news reports that the project will involve enclosing and adding to the facility’s four existing buildings to create space for about 320 students in grades 6–8.

“The campus design conforms to the learner, educator, leader and learning space profiles developed by the district's Educational and Facilities Long-Range Master Planning Committee,” said Superintendent Wade Stanford. “The committee put a lot of effort into defining who we are in Westwood and what we want for our students, teachers, staff, and community. This is the first opportunity to turn those concepts into something tangible.”

The project will double the school’s available space and include amenities like art and science labs; a new band hall; flexible learning spaces; and a stage with an open area to host band concerts, award ceremonies and theater performances, according to local news. The design plans to incorporate the building’s original, stable foundations and load-bearing walls.

“The design intent is to support the learning space profile defined by input from the community, parents, staff, and students,” said Terry Hoyle, CEO of Pfluger Architects. “The learning space profile we're designing to includes flexible and comfortable instructional spaces; collaborative spaces for engagement, creativity, and student choice; and non-academic spaces for community engagement and outdoor learning.”

The new facility’s design also keeps safety and security as top-of-mind concerns. The building will feature a single access point through front doors that can be unlocked with a key card. “The design strikes a balance between transparency and safety,” said Steve Fitzpatrick of Fitzpatrick Architects. “With windows and clerestories, we can bring natural light to education spaces, and adding wood soffits will warm the façade and create a welcoming feel.”

The district is partnering with Pfluger Architects and Fitzpatrick Architects on the building’s design. The project’s construction manager is Jackson Construction. Construction is scheduled to begin in September and continue through early 2024. Officials said that they don’t anticipate any disruption to school or student life during the upcoming school year.

About the Author

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

Featured

  • University of Kentucky Integrates New Cleaning Technology

    The University of Kentucky in Lexington, Ky., recently installed a new cleaning system designed to improve cooling efficiency on campus, according to a news release. The Facilities Management’s Utilities and Energy Management Unit installed new chiller tubes into two of the chillers at the university’s Central Utility Plant.

  • Agualta STEAM Engine

    Outdoor Learning Spaces and Biophilic Design Create Community in East Los Angeles

    Griffith STEAM Magnet Middle School's Agualta STEAM Engine blends education, community, and nature through its adaptable design.

  • Key Considerations for Office-to-Higher-Education Facility Conversions

    Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, office-to-alternative-use conversions have become a recurring subject of urban development discourse. Office utilization rates across major U.S. cities remain below 50%, with vacancy rates exceeding 27% in San Francisco and 16% in New York. Higher education facilities present programmatic and spatial use cases that align readily with the typical characteristics of commercial office buildings.

  • Singlewire Software Report Reveals Gaps in K–12 School Entrance Security

    Single Software recently released its first-ever School Entrance Security Report based on more than 500 responses from U.S. school staff members. According to a news release, the findings highlight a gap between K–12 leaders’ wishes for school safety and how safe the schools actually are, as well as the challenges facing students and staff in that goal.

Digital Edition