The Georgia Institute of Technology has reached another project milestone by selecting Skanska to construct the Institute’s Living Building. Skanska was selected based upon their extensive experience in successfully delivering projects according to the stringent building requirements of the Living Building Challenge 3.0. Construction of the Living Building at Georgia Tech is set to begin in 2017.

The Living Building at Georgia Tech is a partnership between The Kendeda Fund and Georgia Tech to build what is to be the most environmentally advanced education and research building ever constructed in the Southeast.

“Skanska brings a wealth of experience in constructing sustainable buildings in challenging climates such as we have here in Atlanta,” said John DuConge, senior project manager for Design and Construction in Facilities Management. “Their ability to pull from a breadth of disciplines, and their proactive approach to finding practical and replicable solutions, make them an ideal partner for this project.”

According to DuConge, another plus is Skanska’s commitment to sharing knowledge with the greater community to really make a difference in the built environment.

“George Tech’s Living Building is taking goals that once seemed impossible, incorporating them into best building practices, and creating a major shift in the built environment,” said Scott Cannon, executive vice president and general manager, Skanska USA Building. “This new building will be a model for sustainability in construction in Georgia and stands as a challenge to our industry to push for more net-positive buildings.”

In addition to finalizing the working teams, Georgia Tech has also selected the final project site: the northwest corner of Ferst Drive and State Street. Several variables were carefully considered during the site evaluations including Georgia Tech’s Master Campus Plan, potential connections to existing transportation, and campus life. In addition, more technical aspects were considered such as the site’s capacity to harvest rainwater and solar energy, as well as its ability to work in harmony with nature to minimize human intervention.

Skanska will begin collaborating with the design team of Lord Aeck Sargent and The Miller Hull Partnership, as well as the Institute’s teams, to focus on establishing project goals and formalizing strategies to help ensure a successful pathway to Living Building 3.0 certification. Specific topics that will be thoroughly examined in the early planning stages include:

• Site selection and building orientation.
• Net-positive energy and water solutions.
• Procurement of materials.
• Regulatory challenges.
• Meaningful outreach and engagement.
• Shared guiding principles to move the project forward (with the goal of Living Building Challenge 3.0 certification in 2020).

To learn more about the Living Building at Georgia Tech, visit livingbuilding.gatech.edu.