Kennesaw State University, English Building

Kennesaw, Georgia

Firm

CDH Partners, Inc.

Client

Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia

Area

20,548 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$3,959,179

Completion Date

08/2019

Scott Wang

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Design Team: CDH Partners, Inc. (Architect, Structural, Mechanical, Plumbing, Interior Design); OnSite Civil Group (Civil); Westside Engineering LLC (Electrical); Anderson Design, Inc. (Landscape Engineer)

Leaders at Kennesaw State University (KSU) realized that an advanced and modern learning facility would be required to support the growing student population at Kennesaw’s Main Campus. The Georgia Board of Regents entrusted CDH Partners to design the addition for the KSU English Building. The project included not only the addition but also the partial renovation of the existing facility.

During the design process, two key issues became the focus of the design team. First, the existing facility did not meet the proper building codes because of its age, and second, the facility did not support the learning environment for students. CDH Partners addressed both tasks within the budgetary limits.

One of the main design drivers was creating an addition that was cohesive with the existing building’s design features. The exterior façade complements the existing building while creating a new feature to celebrate the entry plaza. The interior design creates a connection between the addition and the existing vertical circulation with the use of a floating ceiling, ending with suspended lighting fixtures featured over the newly renovated stairs. The design also creates multiple areas for students to gather and collaborate between classes.
The 13,000-square-foot addition was a design/bid/build project and includes faculty office spaces, classrooms and multiple student study spaces. The project was phased to coordinate with the occupied facility during school semesters, and much of the interior renovation work was completed during breaks.