McMillan Pazdan Smith adds significant K-12 leadership
June 12, 2018
A recognized leader in K-12 learning environment design, McMillan Pazdan Smith continues to expand their expertise and capabilities through the strategic addition of Ben Thompson, AIA.
Leading the firm’s dedicated K-12 Studio represented across all six regional offices, Thompson joins the team as a Principal and K-12 Studio Director. He will contribute to the firm’s business development strategy, direct specific marketing efforts and oversee day-to-day operational functions based out of Charlotte, NC.
“Ben Thompson contributes a wealth of prior experience in successful schools planning, along with a shared passion for partnering with community school districts, leveraging facilitation among educators, students, and the community, and employing impactful research and forward-thinking design solutions.” states Chad Cousins, COO. “We’re excited about his added leadership to our accomplished team to further the mission of education and maximize student achievement outcomes in the Carolinas and greater Southeast region in which we live, serve, and raise our own children.”
The firm’s K-12 Studio has had a strong impact on the Southeast region’s schools over the years. By creating community learning centers that flow into the surrounding neighborhood and provide flexible educational space, they are preparing students for 21st century learning. This standard is the basis for the design the firm’s many award-winning schools.
McMillan Pazdan Smith was recognized nationally as #6 on the Zweig Group’s 2018 “Hot Firms” list and #12 in the Architecture category of Zweig Group’s 2018 “Best Firms to Work For” list. In 2016, the firm won The McConnell Award, the Association for Learning Environment’s highest international award, for their educational planning and design work on one of South Carolina’s leading-edge STEAM middle school
