McMillan Pazdan Smith received an Excellence In School Building and Design Award from the SC Chapter of the Council of Educational Facility Planners International (CEFPI). The jury “really admired the way that the public areas bring in daylight and connect to the outdoors. Material choices and detailing seemed very carefully considered and integrated in these spaces.” The jury “imagined the spaces provide a wonderful billboard for evening performances” and concluded that “the practice spaces have very clear requirements about proportions and materials to make them successful spaces.”
The District Five Fine Arts Center, a performance venue used by Spartanburg School District Five students, faculty, and community, celebrates the arts with dedicated spaces to encourage creativity and expression. The 50,000 SF facility includes a 1,000-seat auditorium, and the stage accommodates musical and theatre performances with supporting spaces such as dressing and storage rooms. A band room for 200 is flanked by practice and small assembly spaces along with instrument and uniform storage areas, supporting an award-winning band program. Entry into the building provides a lobby for receptions and congregation and serves as exhibition space for student art.