{"693970":{"#nid":"693970","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Building With Purpose: Sustainability and Stewardship at Georgia Tech ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESustainability at Georgia Tech is built into the standards that guide how the Institute designs, constructs, renovates, and operates its campus facilities.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech\u2019s \u003Cem\u003EYellow Book\u003C\/em\u003E outlines those standards and, along with other design and construction guidelines, establishes sustainability and responsible stewardship as fundamental considerations in the built environment. The standards set expectations for high-performance buildings, including LEED certification, energy and water efficiency, responsible material selection, recycling infrastructure, building commissioning, and measurement of long-term performance. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Planning, Design, and Construction department is currently updating the \u003Cem\u003EYellow Book\u003C\/em\u003E, building on these standards and ensuring that the guidance continues to support Georgia Tech\u2019s evolving needs and priorities.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cAt Georgia Tech, innovative sustainable design is fundamental to how we plan for the future of our campus,\u201d said Institute Architect Dan Nemec. \u201cWe have a responsibility to be thoughtful stewards of our resources, and that means considering a building\u2019s performance, materials, environmental impact, and long-term value from the very beginning. By incorporating sustainability into our planning, design, construction, and renovation standards, we can create environments that serve the Georgia Tech community today while positioning the Institute to meet the needs of generations to come.\u201d \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPlanning, design, and construction teams evaluate energy performance and life-cycle costs; look for opportunities to conserve water; assess the embodied carbon and health impacts of building materials; incorporate spaces for recycling; consider salvaging, refurbishing, and repurposing materials; and use metering and commissioning to make sure building systems perform as intended. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETech\u2019s most recent, high-profile projects, the Thomas A. Fanning Student-Athlete Performance Center, the Bud and Val Peterson Residence Hall, Brittain Dining Hall, and George Tower | Scheller Tower show that sustainability standards are relevant to all sectors of campus, from athletics and housing to dining and academics. \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERepurposed Support for Athletics\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Edge-Rice Building stood at the corner of Bobby Dodd Way and Techwood Avenue for 42 years. In demolishing this building and implementing advanced deconstruction planning and careful structural identification, the Thomas A. Fanning Student-Athlete Performance Center project salvaged 25 tons of structural steel from the existing facility and adjacent grandstands. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESome of the original framing and truss steel was carefully salvaged, transported, tracked, and refurbished at a fabrication shop 9 miles from campus. What was once structural support of the Edge-Rice Building can now be seen as entryway columns at the Bobby Dodd entrance to the new facility. \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis circular approach eliminated the need for new raw material manufacturing, saving 25,000 kilograms of CO2 emissions \u2014 the environmental equivalent of driving 60,000 miles in a gas vehicle \u2014 and turning carbon reduction goals into tangible environmental achievements.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECreating a High-Performance Home for Students\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Bud and Val Peterson Residence Hall was designed to meet growing housing demand while also supporting Georgia Tech\u2019s sustainability goals. The new residence hall provides housing for first-year students and includes collaborative learning areas, community lounges, fitness amenities, and secure bike storage.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe building incorporates several sustainable design strategies, leveraging building orientation, massing, and a high-performance building envelope to improve energy efficiency. Stormwater and ecological design elements help extend Georgia Tech\u2019s investment in campus greenspace and environmental health. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe building also prioritizes daylighting and material selection. More than 400 windows bring natural light deep into the interior, helping reduce lighting demands and cooling loads. Glue-laminated timber mullions were selected in place of more carbon-intensive aluminum components, reducing thermal transfer while utilizing a renewable resource.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese strategies demonstrate how thoughtful design can support student life while advancing Georgia Tech\u2019s broader goals of resiliency and responsible campus growth.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPreserving a Beloved Dining Hall\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy extending the useful life of an existing building while improving how it operates, the Brittain Dining Hall renovation project brings together preservation, responsible stewardship, and modern building performance.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELED lighting upgrades and high-efficiency HVAC systems help improve energy efficiency, while water-saving kitchen and dishwashing operations support conservation in one of the building\u2019s most resource-intensive functions. Energy-efficient equipment further reduces operational demands, and increased natural lighting makes greater use of daylight while creating a brighter dining environment.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese improvements illustrate an important aspect of sustainable campus development: Progress does not always require starting over. Thoughtful renovation can preserve the character and history of a beloved campus building while adapting it to serve today\u2019s community more efficiently \u2014 and honoring the past while preparing campus spaces for the future.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBuilding for the Future of Innovation\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn Tech Square, George Tower | Scheller Tower represents another example of sustainability woven into campus development. The two-tower complex was designed to bring together students, faculty, researchers, entrepreneurs, and industry partners in flexible spaces. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe construction of this building is setting a new benchmark for sustainable development at Georgia Tech. Designed as an all-electric, high-performance facility, the project is expected to use approximately 75% less energy than a comparable building while reducing its overall carbon footprint by more than 20%. Extensive daylighting and smart building systems will maximize occupant comfort while continuously optimizing energy and water use, supporting a lower-carbon future for campus operations.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe building is projected to use just 14% of the municipal water consumed by the average Georgia Tech facility, with 70% of its water needs supplied through captured and reclaimed rainwater. It also features glazing to help reduce bird strikes during migration, and 85% of the project\u2019s construction waste was diverted from landfills.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe building has earned Georgia\u0027s highest four-peach rating under the Georgia Peach Green Building Rating System and recognition as Georgia\u0027s first LEED Platinum project. It is one of the most sustainable buildings on campus and a model for future development.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EStewardship Across Campus\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile each facility serves a different purpose, they share a common theme: thoughtful stewardship of resources, illustrating how sustainability can be integrated into both daily operations and long-term capital investments.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECollectively, they reflect Georgia Tech\u2019s ongoing commitment to being best in class while creating spaces that support learning, living, community, and innovation for years to come.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe integration of sustainable building practices supports Georgia Tech\u0027s commitment to responsible stewardship, operational efficiency, and campus resilience.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The integration of sustainable building practices supports Georgia Tech\u0027s commitment to responsible stewardship, operational efficiency, and campus resilience."}],"uid":"35028","created_gmt":"2026-11-10 17:27:20","changed_gmt":"2026-11-10 18:01:45","author":"cbrim3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-11-10T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-11-10T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"681723":{"id":"681723","type":"image","title":"Fanning-Structural-Steel.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EOriginal steel framing from the Edge-Rice Building was used in the construction of the Thomas A. 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