Stevens & Wilkinson and VMDO Architects’ collaboration is leading to a comprehensive renovation of the Glenn and Towers Residence Halls. The team will completely replace all building infrastructure systems; make the facilities accessible to the disabled; increase the number of beds; and provide new student amenities.

A new 8,400-square-foot addition will connect the two residences, fulfilling the original 1940 master plan, and feature a fitness center, multipurpose meeting room, classroom, and small group study rooms. The Commons Building will promote community for first-year students and provide the Department of Housing a centralized space for programs.

The renovation scope includes incorporating new elevators; converting existing open attic spaces into two new residential floors; replacing slate roofs; and incorporating historically accurate windows. While 616 students will reside in the residences and make use of the new restrooms, laundry facilities, expanded study, and social lounges on each floor, the new amenities offered in the Commons Building are available to all Georgia Tech students.

Exterior grounds will also be redesigned to create new outdoor spaces for recreation and entertainment as well as a new accessible route through the sector of campus where the residences are located.

The three-year, 125,000-square-foot project is on track to achieve LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

“Given the high importance of on-campus housing at Georgia Tech, we worked collaboratively with the university to make sure the redesigned residences were in keeping with the campus’ existing enriched student living accommodations,” said Todd Dolson, associate with Stevens & Wilkinson. “The renovation of the halls sets the stage for the establishment of enriched student living accommodations that are in keeping with the high level of standards for which Georgia Tech is known.”

Renovation statistics include 63,259 square feet of floor space and four stories at Glenn Hall; 53,116 square feet and three stories at Towers Hall; and 8,400 square feet at the New East Campus Commons. The Glenn and Towers renovation is targeted for completion in 2015.

In order to provide an accessible route to the project, the new Commons Building had to connect the two historic residence halls below their existing basement levels. The design team also used these points of connection as the location of new elevators, allowing the same demolition efforts to accomplish both objectives at once.

These areas of the residence halls had to be underpinned, strengthened and supported while demolition and excavation activities occurred underneath. To accommodate the elevator clearances and lower level Commons Building connection, the excavation went a full story below the existing 70-year-old foundations and incorporated existing concrete masonry and timber structural elements.

New deep foundations of micro piles and push piers were used with interconnected shallow foundations to allow for the sequenced demolition and build-back. The result is a hidden, continuous connection between the historic residences and integrated state-of-the-art elevators connecting all floors, including the attic. Each phase of the project honored and preserved these important buildings’ historic character.

The Stevens & Wilkinson design team supported Georgia Tech’s sustainability initiative by reusing two existing historic campus buildings and implementing new sustainable features that help reduce the campus’ carbon footprint, improving quality of life for students and bolstering campus identity.

A new irrigation system utilizes a 20,000-gallon cistern of collected rain water to support the new outdoor recreation and social areas between the residence halls. Heat is captured from hot shower water drain piping to preheat cold water, to be heated elsewhere in the building. The project implements a variety of aggressive energy- and water-use reduction techniques. These include landscape irrigation; low-flow shower heads and faucets; highly efficient mechanical equipment; and LED light fixtures. Operable windows and fresh air ventilation have been reintroduced throughout the buildings.

The Glenn and Towers site renovations are intended to provide enhanced social spaces at a range of scales utilizing a palette of materials and detailing that reinforces the standards of the Georgia Tech landscape master plan. With the new Commons Building forming an edge at the north end, the project creates one consolidated central quad space anchored by the historic Brittain Dining Hall by eliminating intrusive paths and walls that previously segment the space.

This broad, flexible collegiate lawn is defined by a perimeter path and an active, shaded edge with generous opportunities for seating and secondary gathering spaces in a zone of native plantings. Large grills, patios and plazas are included in the quad lawn, which foster the first-year experience by creating a sense of community.

About Stevens & Wilkinson: Founded in 1919, Stevens & Wilkinson is a full-service commercial architecture, engineering and interior design firm committed to providing clients with “Smart Design Solutions.” The firm’s combined design capabilities equate to projects executed with creative, innovative and holistic design solutions. www.stevens-wilkinson.com.