CLIENT: ST. SCHOLASTICA ACADEMY | LOCATION: COVINGTON, LA
Sheri Gillio Head of School, Retired St. Scholastica Academy
“Greenleaf Architects demonstrated an exceptional ability to listen carefully to the needs of our school community. They approached each project with a collaborative mindset, respecting both the mission of our Catholic, all-girls institution and the practical needs of our students and faculty. Their design solutions reflected a thoughtful balance between tradition and innovation. Additionally, their ability to manage timelines and communicate clearly made the process smooth and efficient, even when navigating the challenges that often arise in school construction.”
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St. Scholastica Academy's existing library had served the school for years, but its traditional layout no longer made the best use of the space available. Rather than simply updating finishes within the existing configuration, SSA used the renovation as an opportunity to rethink how the entire 6,700-square-foot library and classroom area could support the school's current academic needs.
Supported by an ambitious fundraising campaign, Greenleaf reorganized the former single-use library into a multi-functional educational environment that combines a modernized library with three new classrooms, an innovation lab, a student media center, and a student lounge.
The redesign divides the larger area into dedicated zones supporting different types of activity throughout the school day. The library continues to provide areas for reading, research, and focused study, while the new classrooms expand the academic capacity of the space. The innovation lab provides an environment for hands-on learning and technology-based activities, and the student media center creates dedicated space for communications and media-related programs. A student lounge adds an informal area where students can gather and interact between classes.
Upgraded finishes, lighting, furniture, equipment, and technology support the new program while bringing the existing facility in line with contemporary educational needs. Particular attention was given to spatial organization so classroom instruction, collaborative work, technology use, informal gathering, and quiet study can occur within the same overall area without competing for space.
The renovation demonstrates how an existing campus can gain significant new functionality without adding square footage. By reorganizing a space the school already had, the project converts an older library into a much broader academic resource capable of serving students in several different ways throughout the day.
The project also has a personal connection to Greenleaf. Three St. Scholastica alumnae were members of the Greenleaf project team, bringing their own familiarity with the school and campus to the renovation of a space that will serve the next generation of SSA students.
