Context

Founded in 1901, Holton-Arms is a college-preparatory school for girls in grades 3–12, located on a 57-acre campus in Bethesda, Maryland. Guided by its mission to educate not only the mind, but the soul and spirit, Holton-Arms fosters a vibrant learning environment that values both tradition and innovation. In 2014, the School consolidated its library, technology, and learning specialists into a single department, laying the foundation for a new kind of academic space, one that could support collaborative, cross-disciplinary learning for a dynamic student body. To bring this vision to life, Holton-Arms partnered with CGS Architects to explore design solutions that could unify student resources and better reflect the school’s evolving mission.

Solution

The result is the Susanna A. Jones Learning Commons: a transformative 23,000 SF blend of new and renovated space that reimagines how students gather, learn, and connect. Purposefully designed to support both quiet study and active collaboration, the Commons features intimate reading nooks, flexible workstations, breakout rooms, and communal gathering areas. The space embodies Holton’s commitment to sisterhood, curiosity, and lifelong learning, serving as a shared space where middle school students and seniors alike can interact and grow. More than a building, the Learning Commons is a physical expression of Holton’s enduring values; a welcoming environment that inspires intellectual exploration, nurtures community, and strengthens the school’s mission for future generations.