McMillan Pazdan Smith

10/12/2026

We’re excited to welcome Smolen Emr Ilkovitch Architects (SEI) to McMillan Pazdan Smith!

Since 1959, SEI has partnered with school communities across Maryland, providing planning and design solutions for more than 425 schools in 14 jurisdictions. Now, our teams will work together to serve communities across the Mid-Atlantic.

See the full release to learn how this expands our K–12 practice and builds on the strong community relationships that have shaped SEI’s work for generations.

Read more: https://hubs.li/Q04zWggQ0

10/06/2026

Our Columbus, GA studio has a new home! 📍

We’ve moved into the historic Riverfront Building at 1101 Front Ave — with the same team, the same leadership, and the same commitment to a community we’ve served for more than 65 years.

From the Mercer University School of Medicine to the Col. Ralph Puckett Jr. VECTR Workforce Development Center, our work continues to support education, opportunity, and growth across Columbus and rural Georgia.

Read more: https://hubs.li/Q04zll8g0

09/17/2026

🏫 School consolidation is about more than enrollment numbers.

With aging buildings, shifting enrollment, and tighter budgets, school districts face difficult decisions about the future of their facilities. But how can they balance financial responsibility with the needs of students, educators, and the communities they serve?

In American School & University, MPS Principal Ben Thompson explores how thoughtful facility planning, data, and community input can help districts make informed, long-term decisions.

📖 Read the full article to explore a more strategic approach to school consolidation: https://hubs.li/Q04xKzl40

08/20/2026

🎉 What a day for the Middle Tyger community!

The new Middle Tyger Education Center is officially open, expanding childcare capacity from 60 to 265 children and creating a new 42,000-square-foot home for learning, play, therapy, family support, and connection.

More than a new building, this $19 million campus shows what’s possible when a community comes together around children and families. 💚

We’re proud to celebrate Middle Tyger Community Center alongside the incredible group of partners who made this vision possible!

Congratulations to everyone involved, and especially to the children, families, educators, and staff who now get to call this place theirs! 🎈

08/12/2026

Reedy Laurel Elementary in Greenville, SC, started the school year with a pretty special moment: a feature on the TODAY show showcasing the school, its students, the Principal and the big ideas behind how they learn.

Seeing students walk into spaces designed by McMillan Pazdan Smith for curiosity, from the greenhouse to the hydroponics wet lab, and hearing the school’s mission to inspire young “citizen scientists” shared with a national audience is something worth celebrating.

To the Otters, and to students, teachers, and school communities everywhere, here’s to a great year of learning, growing, and discovering what’s possible. 🦦🌱

08/05/2026

In a focus feature for School Administrator magazine, MPS' Ben Thompson shares how school districts can make confident decisions amid aging facilities and changing student enrollment.

Ben shares a proven three-step framework to help K-12 leaders use data, engage stakeholders, and align facility investments with long-term community goals.

🔗 Explore the framework https://hubs.li/Q04r-7g90

07/22/2026

Updated: Celebrating all 16 of our newest Principals! 🎉

More leaders. More perspectives. More possibilities.

We’re proud to recognize 16 professionals who have recently stepped into Principal roles at McMillan Pazdan Smith.

Across our studios, these leaders embody collaboration, accountability, design excellence, and a deep commitment to the success of our clients, colleagues, and communities.

We’re excited to see how this next generation of Principals will continue shaping our firm and reimagining what’s possible.

Join us in congratulating all 16! 👏

🔗 Meet our newest Principals: https://hubs.li/Q04qlRkC0

07/15/2026

A successful greenfield hospital begins with a clear market strategy, operational vision and plan for long-term adaptability.

Our latest blog explores the critical questions healthcare leaders should answer, from service line planning and patient experience to sustainability and future growth.

Read the article: https://hubs.li/Q04pHzNz0

Strategic greenfield hospital planning helps health systems align market strategy, sustainability, adaptability, and long-term operational value before design begins.

07/09/2026

The future workforce may start earlier than we think. 🎓⚙️💻

In Huntsville, Alabama, the Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering is reimagining what high school can look like when education, industry, and campus design work together.

Designed by our Huntsville studio, formerly Fuqua & Partners Architects, the ASCTE campus supports:
🔐 Cybersecurity + AI learning
🤖 Robotics, drones + engineering projects
🛠️ Labs, fabrication space + a cyber range
🏠 Residential life + student support
🤝 Direct connections to regional industry

More than a school, ASCTE is a model for how K-12 design can help build long-term talent pipelines and prepare students for the future economy.

👉 Read the full blog: https://hubs.li/Q04nVc_60

07/03/2026

Red, white, and blueprints!

As our nation marks 250 years of independence, we’re reminded that the places we design are part of something larger: communities shaped by service, connection, and shared purpose.

At MPS, we’re proud to continue serving the communities we call home — designing spaces that support how people live, learn, work, heal, and gather.

Our studios will be closed on Friday, July 3, in observance of Independence Day, and will reopen on Monday, July 6.

Wishing our clients, partners, teammates, and communities a safe and meaningful Fourth of July weekend. 🎆