Extensive Renovations and New Educational Spaces

The Woods Academy, a private Montessori through 8th grade school located in Bethesda, MD, engaged GTM|Architects for renovations to their South Wing. Requiring a major remodeling effort, the architectural design and MEP systems renovation entailed 25,000 square feet of an existing single-story building originally constructed in 1961, comprising almost half of the school’s total footprint.

The renovation includes new and modified interior partitions, replacement of windows and doors, a new roof, modernizations to restrooms, extensive millwork, finishes, lighting, commercial kitchen upgrades, and extensive structural changes. The overhaul also included design upgrades to the administrative offices, a nurse’s station, Montessori and 4th grade classrooms, language classrooms, a multipurpose room, teacher’s lounge, staff work areas, offices, Innovation Lab and Upper and Lower School Library rooms. A new sprinkler system was also added to this wing, along with energy efficient lighting, mechanical systems, fire alarm upgrades, data lines, and energy monitoring controls. The Library and Innovation Lab areas of the plan are the centerpiece of the project, which were designed with an added sloped cathedral roof structure that allows for a dramatic, light-filled space.

GTM’s team was responsible for the full-service design of the project’s exterior and interior spaces. The programming and design phases of the design process were critical, as GTM also led early assessments and investigations for replacement of the building systems including the coordination of energy studies related to the selection of mechanical equipment, control devices, and lighting specifications.