The Latest in Campus Construction

The progress of campus construction projects keeps a steady pace year-round. Whether it is site preparations, interior renovations, infrastructure improvements, or large, philanthropy-driven facilities projects, the Georgia Tech built environment continuously evolves to support the needs of a growing and vibrant campus community. 

As these construction projects move forward, the planning arm of the Planning, Design, and Construction department has been working for the past year with a cadre of consultants to plan for the future of the Georgia Tech campus and is close to finalizing a Comprehensive Campus Plan (CCP). This living document will inform how campus space can be utilized to support the growing and changing campus community for the next 10 years and beyond.  

“We are excited for the upcoming reveal of the Campus Comprehensive Plan,” said Vice President of Infrastructure and Sustainability Maria Cimilluca. “Our team has worked collaboratively to create a thorough framework for future development. The Campus Comprehensive Plan is in its final stages, and we look forward to sharing it with the campus community in September.” Visit the CCP website to learn more.  

Below is an update on some of the current construction projects on campus.  

Soon to Wrap Up 

National Pan-Hellenic Council – Divine Nine Plaza

The Divine Nine are the nine historically Black fraternities and sororities that comprise the National Pan-Hellenic Council. Construction is underway for a plaza area with nine distinct circular gathering spaces with seating, landscaping, and permeable pavers. Located adjacent to the John Lewis Student Center parking deck, the plaza will include an 820-square-foot amphitheater. Barring weather delays, the site should be available to enjoy in October. View the construction webcam here. 

Georgia Tech Veterans Walk of Honor  

This tribute project, located outside the Veterans Resource Center, will honor all Georgia Tech alumni, students, and staff who have served in the United States armed forces. The walkway leading to the Veterans Resource Center will feature granite inlays and mounted wall plaques recognizing the six branches of the military. Each inlay will include a portion of Morse code representing the individual branch’s slogan or motto. Adjacent elevated signage will display the core values of military service: honor, courage, commitment, respect, duty, valor, service, and integrity. An upper plaza reflection area includes an American flag overlooking Griffin Track and McCamish Pavilion, with the city skyline in the distance. The project is scheduled for completion in late 2023. 

Library Interactive Media Zone  

Located on the Grove Level of the Price Gilbert Memorial Library, this project features a 40-foot curved landscape screen and 10 interactive tablet stations allowing users to view three modes of content: digital exhibit, pop-up lecture, and hero mode. The digital exhibit will feature pre-planned animations and live data. The pop-up lecture will allow faculty and visiting experts to hold short-form, impromptu lessons, and the hero mode will facilitate digital signage about activities and events on campus. The project is currently under construction, with completion slated for late September or early October. Read more here. 

In Progress 

D.M. Smith Building Renewal  

Renovations will include several upgrades to the building’s infrastructure, including strengthening compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act by creating a permanent wheelchair access feature and adding an elevator. New mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems will increase comfort, as well as the building’s energy efficiency. A virtual lab and hoteling space will be created for members of the School of Public Policy. All proposed changes will respect the historical character of the building, and renovations will be completed by mid-2025. 

East Campus Streetscape  

Renovation of sidewalks and roadways on the east side of campus is underway to improve pedestrian and micro-mobility (lightweight, single-person vehicles such as bicycles, scooters, and skateboards) access while supporting the Institute’s safety, connectivity, and carbon neutrality goals. The heavy volume of campus traffic in this area requires careful attention to safety and accessibility. Improvements to sidewalks, bicycle infrastructure, and lighting will align with paving, new curbing, and reconfigured access to the parking deck for alternative-mode routes. All updates will cohesively coordinate with the campus bus systems. A phased construction approach is planned, with phase one underway on Fourth Street, Brittain Drive, and areas adjacent to Peters Parking Deck. Phases two and three will address Techwood Drive in 2024.  

Progressive Workplace Pilots  

Progressive Workplaces are defined by Georgia Tech as solutions to align space with the working styles of specific campus offices or departments resulting in a carefully curated combination of individual and group work, meeting, and collaboration spaces. The intent of these flexible and progressive designed environments is to foster engagement, innovation and improve space utilization and satisfaction. Currently, multiple pilot projects are under construction across campus.  

One pilot includes the offices of the General Counsel and Internal Auditing, two distinct departments, each with about 90 employees. Their space in the 760 Spring St. building in Tech Square was recently renovated from a traditional configuration of assigned, enclosed, individual offices accommodating about 42 employees. The renovated space now offers a flexible, progressive workspace that accommodates 90 employees within the same amount of square footage as their original space.  

Using the latest in scheduling technology, the workplace pilots offer reservable space in either private offices or open desk areas with the flexible amenities of both open and enclosed collaboration and meeting spaces. Each space houses a multipurpose hub, allowing for impromptu gatherings and encouraging employee interaction. These pilots will be measured through qualitative satisfaction surveys, and the collected data will inform future strategic space planning projects throughout the campus community. 

Science Square  

An 18-acre biomedical research and technology community is under construction just off North Avenue near Northside Drive. Phase one includes Science Square Labs, a 13-story lab and office tower that will feature clean rooms, labs, and research space, as well as affordable housing and ground-floor retail space. Phase one is scheduled to be completed by March 2024. BioSpark Labs, located in Science Square, has completed phase two construction of 10 private labs, one shared lab, cell culture and bacterial procedure rooms, and shared equipment areas. The labs are fully furnished and available for lease. This development will expand biotech and life science research and help revitalize and nurture new opportunities on Atlanta's west side. Learn more about Science Square and BioSpark Labs. 

Tech Square Phase 3  

Phase three of Tech Square will include about 415,000 square feet of academic and research space within two high-rise towers. The 14-story Scheller Tower will house the MBA and Executive Education programs for the Scheller College of Business and is named in recognition of the generous philanthropic commitment of Roberta and Ernest Scheller Jr., IM 1952, HON Ph.D. 2013. The 18-story George Tower, named to recognize Penny and Bill George, IE 1964, HON Ph.D. 2008, for their integral support for the facility will be the new home for the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering. A large plaza and retail space are planned for the street level. Site fencing will be installed soon, and construction is slated to begin in September. The projected occupancy date is early 2026. Read more here. 

Coming Soon 

Aerospace Engineering Aircraft Hangar 

The Aircraft Hangar facility is in the North Avenue Research Area next to the Techway building complex. This project will primarily focus on creating a facility to design, assemble, and house small aircraft for research in the Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering. The facility will be approximately 10,000 square feet and feature a high bay with a mezzanine level. Site work will begin in late fall, with an expected completion date of early 2025. 

Ferst Drive Realignment and Cycle Track  

This project will address the realignment of Ferst Drive at Regents Drive, which will allow the elimination of the traffic signal and enable connectivity to the planned bicycle infrastructure southwest of campus. A cycle track will be installed along Ferst Drive, providing improved safety and separation between bicycles and buses at the bus stops. This project is in the design phase, with completion slated for fall of 2024. 

On the Horizon 

Student-Athlete Performance Center  

The 100,000-square-foot facility will be built in the footprint of the current Edge Center in the northeast corner of Bobby Dodd Stadium. The Center will house strength and conditioning space, nutrition areas, sports medicine offices, ticket sales, dining, and academic support space. It will also include state-of-the art sport science and analytics and provide balcony views of Midtown Atlanta. The project is in the design approval stage, with an estimated completion date of early 2026. 

New Residence Hall  

The first new residence hall on campus since 2005, this project is currently in the design phase. This new facility for first-year students will be on the west side of campus along Northside Drive between Eighth and Ninth streets. The 191,000-square-foot building will contain approximately 860 beds with rooms configured for double -occupancy with the flexibility for students to customize, or rearrange, the in-room furniture layout. Each bedroom will have individualized climate control. Student support areas will include collaborative learning spaces, community lounges, and group kitchens. Completion is slated for August 2026. Read more here.