Architecture class redesigns library

Visitors to the library noticed a change in the room’s layout in October, as drafting teacher William McSwain and his architecture class began renovations, following floor plans they developed.

The library and media center were already undergoing renovations, in which a new computer lab was created. However, the company hired to do so only created layouts for the classroom, leaving half of the library undesigned and empty.

School Library Media Specialist SaCola Lehr recruited McSwain to complete the other half of the library floor plan.

McSwain sees the project as a chance to give his architecture class real-world experience in measuring spaces and designing layouts.

“With real-world projects, it’s great because you actually have to measure,” McSwain said. “You have to be accurate and get measurements on the actual existing building.”

Students split into groups of four to take measurements of the current library and create ideas for new layouts.

McSwain also put a job-applicable spin on the project, having students create video tours of their designs and pitch them to Lehr and Principal Sulura Jackson.

In the end, the librarians decided to take different aspects from all of the designs presented and incorporate them into the final library floor plan.

Sophomore Nadiya Farrington saw the decision as another lesson to be learned.

“You’re not always going to see your final project built up when you present an idea. You have to meet your client’s needs,” Farrington said.