Georgia Tech Living Building to start construction as students come back for fall

Georgia Tech will soon begin construction on what’s being billed as "the most environmentally advanced education and research building ever constructed in the Southeast."

The Living Building, first announced more than a year ago, will finally break ground this fall, according to the Kendeda Fund, a group that’s contributed $30 million to the project.

The winning design—by Seattle-based eco-design experts at The Miller Hull Partnership, in collaboration with Atlanta-based Lord Aeck Sargent—features a green roof, a canopy made of solar panels, and plantings around the site that will provide food for students throughout the year.

Additionally, rainwater will be collected in cisterns to provide for operations in the building. Once the water is used, it will be processed on site, with the waste going to fertilize plants and irrigate the surrounding vegetation.

Inside, expect classrooms, labs, maker spaces, offices, open collaboration zones, and a flexible auditorium that can be reconfigured to fulfill an array of needs.

Ultimately, leaders say, the building is meant to be adaptable, meeting the evolving demands of campus while teaching students about environmentally conscious design.

The “launch” of construction is slated for Sept. 12. Work should take approximately 15 months.

• Georgia Tech Living Building plans construction launch in September [Kendeda Fund]
• Georgia Tech planning most environmentally conscious building in the Southeast [Curbed Atlanta]