The school renovated Taper Gymnasium, Chalmers Hall and the bookstore over the summer. Taper Gymnasium received a new floor as part of its scheduled once-a-decade remodel. The school also added two soundproof practice studios in Chalmers 107 and removed the cafeteria extension from Chalmers East. The school added more slat walls for display, new carpet and a new configuration for the registers to the bookstore.
Boys basketball forward Barron Linnekens ’26 said he appreciates the changes to Taper Gymnasium because they reflect the changes to the varsity basketball team’s makeup since last season.
“The renovations are amazing,” Linnekens said. “We lost seven seniors last year and are a completely new team this year, so it fits that we have a new gym to win in.”
However, girls volleyball libero Sophia Jun ’25 said she is disappointed by the renovation because she thinks the new floor is more suited to the basketball team than the volleyball team.
“[The new court] was made to be a basketball court, and they didn’t really care about volleyball,” Jun said. “I just wish they would’ve made the volleyball lines a little bit more clear.”
Performing Arts Teacher Neli Nikolaeva said she looks forward to having more room for musicians to practice in Chalmers Hall.
“The thing we missed was a space for students to be able to practice,” Nikolaeva said. “A lot of times during lunch and conference hours, students would come here and want to practice but there was not enough space. I am excited about the possibility of students practicing and having the space for it.”
Ryan Acosta ’26, who plays clarinet, said he is happy to have a place to practice without an audience.
“The soundproof rooms will be an amazing resource for students,” Acosta said. “These additional rooms will be great for students who would want to focus and practice by themselves without having to ever worry about any others hearing them.”
Upper School Plant Manager Ed Wormald said most students will not notice the renovations to Chalmers East West because the school strove for a smooth transition to the new design.
“When you look at Chalmers East West, will anybody remember the old carpet, or is anyone going to miss it?” Wormald said. “I think most of them won’t notice, which is fine because it’s supposed to be completely seamless.”
Bookstore Manager Gil Garibaldo said the setup will make the bookstore a better place for students to unwind.
“We’ve created a space where they can come in and relax from the tough work they have during the school year,” Garibaldo said. “It’s got a fresh vibe to it that I think will definitely appeal to the students who walk in.”
Garibaldo said he hopes the remodel reflects the overall quality of the school.
“My goal, as far as the impact the renovation would have on campus, is that when a family is thinking about having their kids come to Harvard-Westlake, they come by the bookstore and they see that even this looks incredible, and the high level of detail is here as well,” Garibaldo said.
