Acuity Plaza Technology Square, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
INTRODUCTION Hughes, Good, O’Leary & Ryan, Spring 2008
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s a flag ship university, Georgia Institute of Technology sets itself apart by adhering to strict environmental rehabilitation practices. Georgia Tech’s initiative to create a pedestrian and environmentally-oriented campus became a reality through several design implementation projects by HGOR. Georgia Tech’s main campus occupied a large part of Midtown Atlanta, bordered by 10th Street to the north and by North Avenue to the south, placing it well in sight of the Atlanta skyline. In 1996, the campus was the site of the athletes’ village and a venue for a number of athletic events for the 1996 Summer Olympics.
DESIGN Midtown Gateway for the University
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cuity Plaza was a one and a half million dollar design competition to revitalize an urban square on the corner of West Peachtree and Fifth Street. The goal of the project was to transform the space into a gateway from Midtown Atlanta into Georgia Tech’s campus. Tech awarded the project to HGOR for a design that introduced elaborate green geometry. The LEED accredited College of Management building embraced the new plaza. So, the additional green space brought in more elements of sustainability. Below the lawn panel detention volts collected storm water run-off allowing for slow release back into the water table.
Acuity Plaza
PUBLISHED EDITORIAL
Following city standards, the state allocated strict policies with regards to tree protection on Georgia Tech’s campus. The campus strategy read that a design must replace every caliper inch of tree removed from a site. Structural soils supported pedestrian pavers for a large area of the plaza. This detail allowed for oxygen to penetrate the sub-grade creating a larger root growth zones. Thus maintaining the future health of all trees on site.
HGOR Designs Urban Sustainable Plaza at Georgia Tech Acuity Plaza is Now Eastern Gateway to Georgia Tech’s Campus and Welcome Relief from Urban Congestion September 2008
The open atmosphere truly magnifies the grandness of the plaza and supported the gateway concept. Midtown residents and businessmen feel more at liberty to enjoy the retail, restaurants and resources Technology Square offered.
Acuity Plaza, Pre-construction
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GOR, an Atlanta architecture firm, the new eastern Institute of Technology
planning and landscape has designed Acuity Plaza, gateway to the Georgia campus. Located at West
Peachtree and Fifth Streets, the environmentally friendly plaza will function as a gathering place for students, faculty, residents, workers and passersby. The plaza is now officially open after more than two semesters of being closed.
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
The newest part of Technology Square was designed by HGOR to serve Georgia Tech and the surrounding community and to set a new standard for open spaces in Atlanta. The completed project represents a green and pedestrian-friendly environment while remaining urban in its character and true to the image and identity of Georgia Tech. PHASE 2
‘Acuity Plaza has dramatically changed Technology Square,” said Lauren Standish, Project Manager for HGOR. It has opened up the eastern side of the campus, made it more inviting, and created a sustainable center of campus activity. We are glad to see students, workers and residents alike enjoying the elements of the space, and we look forward to carrying over the social, environmental and economic principles into Phase II’.
Acuity Plaza Master Plan
At the onset of the project, HGOR was responsible for examining the potential character of the new plaza and conducting an urban design study recommending both landscape improvements and building expansion options that contribute to the urban campus life but also to the people working in the nearby Midtown business district. The firm was charged with creating a place where students and others could be connected and inspired. HGOR designed Acuity Plaza with a large, formal, raised lawn to anchor the space. The lawn area also accommodates significant underground stormwater retention and recharge. Restaurants and retail outlets, built-in seating and an outdoor terrace dining area invite pedestrians away from heavilytrafficked streets. A site lighting program includes step lights, tree uplights and LED pavement lighting, leading to the entrance of the College of Management. Formal tree bisques provide shade in the summer and opportunities for seating and outdoor dining underneath. ‘HGOR listened and responded well to the needs of Georgia Tech,” said Howard Werthheimer, Director of Capital Planning and Space Management for the university. “Acuity Plaza reflects the collaboration and exchange of ideas that has shaped Technology Square into a new, invigorated part of Midtown’.
Acuity Plaza
A formal dedication of Acuity Plaza took place after nightfall on September 8, 2008 where HGOR representatives, Georgia Tech administrators and Acuity Brands representatives were present. At the dedication ceremony, Acuity Brands, the sponsor for the construction, officially opened the plaza with a ceremonial ‘flip of the switch’ to showcase the new design of the plaza under lighting that Acuity Brands markets. page 5