ENR Southeast's 2013 Owner of the Year: Georgia Tech Builds Greater Expectations
"I personally gained a lot from the experience working with Georgia Tech," Stewart says. "They expect their teams to push the limits, and [they] will be there with you along the way."
Construction firms and design consultants like working for Georgia Tech on its capital projects because there is a foundation of mutual respect among all parties that is integrated into the decision-making process, Georgia Tech's Wertheimer says.
"We challenge [the teams members'] expertise and creativity to help us make smart decisions as we continue to define the technological university of the 21st century," he says.
The cycle of learning-oriented design and construction will continue with other projects at Georgia Tech, including the upcoming renovation of the John A. and Joyce K. Caddell Building, home to the university's School of Building Construction. In addition to pushing sustainability with the goal of net-zero energy use, the school may push its own project delivery envelope, perhaps by dabbling with integrated project delivery on a limited basis.
"It's currently planned as [a] construction manager at-risk [contract], but we're hoping at least some elements of integrated project design can be used," says Daniel Castro, the school's chair.
"That will be highly appropriate, as we want the completed building to foster interaction and collaboration among and between industry professionals, faculty and students," he adds, saying that simply observing the project team's collaboration will be valuable for students.
Wertheimer hopes other building owners, and those in the design and construction industry, will see Georgia Tech as a model for improved practices: "We want them to see what we're doing in terms of design and construction excellence, leadership and innovation, and [we want them to] challenge themselves to make similar strategic investments [in] their facilities."
