Love Hall

Atlanta, Georgia

Firm

Ennead Architects

Client

The Westminster Schools

Area

34,430 sq.ft.

Completion Date

08/2024

Jeff Goldberg / Esto

[close]

Design team
Tomas Rossant, Molly McGowan, Minh Tran, Trisha Awasthi, Josh Broadway, Thomas Cunningham, Eileen Dirks, Mimoza Gjonbalaj, Janice Leong, Rick Michod, Mat Strack

Purposefully conceived to embody the spirit of the Lower School, Love Hall extends Westminster’s STEAM education commitment to its youngest learners.

Perched above the main campus quad, the renovation and expansion of Love Hall strengthens the Lower School’s curriculum and after-school program while establishing it as Love Hall’s new front door—offering welcoming spaces and a prominent drop-off zone for families.

Initially slated for Phase 2 of the Master Plan, changing needs and circumstances accelerated the Lower School’s development. Love Hall was advanced on an independent timeline to provide STEAM education at every level of the school.

The addition includes a new suite of art and design thinking labs—similar layouts with shared lab prep and support spaces that allow for growth and programming flexibility. Bifold garage doors facilitate a seamless indoor-outdoor classroom experience. They foster experimentation and exploration by creating a flexible and dynamic learning environment that expands beyond traditional boundaries. The labs are also open to “group teach” spaces, encouraging collaboration between classrooms and disciplines.

A new 550-seat auditorium provides the Lower School with more flexibility in its performing arts program to host larger performances, competitions, and science and technology fairs. The addition of a purpose-built auditorium enabled the cafeteria to be redesigned and expanded purposefully for dining.