Lord Aeck Sargent was tasked with the renovation of Georgia Tech's 1910 Chapin Building, originally serving as an infirmary, to accommodate the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion. The adaptive reuse project involved removing non-original elements, such as fire stairs, while incorporating modern updates like an elevator for ADA compliance. A new wood staircase was constructed to mirror the original's U-shaped configuration, enhancing accessibility while honoring the historic fabric. Exterior restorations focused on subtle repairs, including the preservation of distinctive marble rope joints and ventilator features at the roof. Interior work aimed to reinstate the building's historical character, raising ceilings, uncovering wood floors, and rehabilitating unique plaster details. Operable windows, replicating the original design, now optimize natural light and ventilation. Certified LEED Platinum, the renovation adheres to Georgia Tech's Historic Preservation Plan, emphasizing both conservation and sustainability in an academic setting.
Atlanta, GA
LEED Platinum
7,500 sf
Historic Building, Student Success, Student Life
Excellence in Sustainable Rehabilitation
Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation
—Sustainability Award for Historic Preservation
University System of Georgia
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First Place in Build Georgia Award
Associated General Contractors of America Georgia Chapter
"I wanted to thank you all for your dedication and efforts to at this point to complete what has almost been a forensic analysis to piece together the necessary documentation given the timing of the LEED process... It has been a long and arduous process but a testament to your dedication and professionalism as a team that we’re at the point we are today."
— Nicolas Palfrey, Office of Facilities Management - Design & Construction