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

  • Fellowes Launches New 3D Modular, Product Configurators

    Contract interiors and architectural solutions provider Fellowes recently announced the launch of new 3D modular and product configurators for several of its product lines, according to a news release. The new products offer SIF file integration and pricing for the Volo, Markerboards, Sena, and Rising product lines in connection with 3D Cloud, which provides 3D product visualization and 3D digital asset management.

  • Austin International School Library Renovation

    Established in 1999, the Education Design Showcase is a vehicle for showing off innovative — yet practical — solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction. The Austin International School has been recognized with an EDS 2025 Grand Prize award in the category of Renovation.

  • Springfield Breaks Ground on $53.7M Pipkin Middle School Rebuild

    Construction is underway on a new, state-of-the-art Pipkin Middle School in Springfield, Mo., a major step in Springfield Public Schools’ (SPS) long-term facility improvement plan, according to local news. The $53.7-million project officially broke ground in early June, following years of planning and community input aimed at modernizing aging infrastructure and addressing student capacity concerns.

  • New Jersey PreK–12 School Breaks Ground on New STEM Building

    Saddle River Day School (SRDS) in Saddle River, N.J., recently announced that it has broken ground on the new Dr. Kristen Walsh Hall of Science & Entrepreneurship, according to a news release. The school partnered with DIGroup Architecture for the design of the new facility, which will provide the school with space to expand its STEM and business education classes.

Digital Edition