Christ Presbyterian Academy

Since 1984, Christ Presbyterian Academy (CPA) has been a cornerstone of the Nashville community. As the school continued to grow, their focus was clear. They wanted a campus that better supports student life, encourages time outdoors, and creates a stronger sense of connection.

We worked alongside CPA to help bring that vision to life.

What was once a parking lot was transformed into a 2-acre central quad that now serves as the heart of campus life for CPA’s 1,300 students. Designed as an everyday gathering space, the quad encourages movement, interaction, and time spent outdoors. Each of the school’s four academic buildings now fronts this space, creating a more connected campus experience and offering areas that support the different needs of lower, middle, and upper school students.

To support how students and faculty move throughout the day, we conducted detailed circulation studies to simplify paths across campus. The result is a more intuitive, welcoming arrival and a layout that naturally draws people toward the quad.

Sustainability and long-term health were also key priorities. By replacing large areas of surface parking with green space, the campus gained 76% more usable open space and a significantly expanded tree canopy. Bioretention areas and rain gardens were integrated throughout the site to manage stormwater while enhancing the outdoor experience.

The result is a campus that supports daily activity, connection, and well-being, creating spaces where students can learn, gather, and recharge outdoors.

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