This article was written by ENR for ENR Southeast
Nathan Deal Campus of Innovation
Augusta, Ga.
Award of Merit
Owner: Georgia Technology Authority
General Contractor: New South Construction Co.
Architect: Gensler
Structural Engineer: KSi Structural Engineers
Civil Engineer: Cranston Engineering Group
MEP Engineer: Barrett, Woodyard & Associates Inc.
The construction team faced an aggressive schedule to deliver the new Nathan Deal Campus of Innovation, which features the Hull McKnight Building and the Shaffer McCarthy Building. The original contract grew by $16 million with the addition of tenant improvements that were on the same deadline as the original project scope. Based on the number of occupants expected in the improved spaces, a four-story, 770-space parking deck was added to the project.
The scope of one of the main buildings would have required more than 18 months to complete under a traditional schedule, but the owner’s schedule was restricted to 13 months. In response, the team developed an architectural and structural precast veneer system to allow the building’s skin to be installed and dry within one month. While installing sanitary and storm sewer utilities, abandoned wells, remnants of historic building foundations, elevator pits and contaminated soils halted construction until soils were tested and ground penetrating radar was used to inspect the entire site. Despite facing two hurricanes and an earthquake, the teams didn’t lose a single day of work.