Watch our GVSA On Topic Lecture Series – Transforming the World’s Busiest Airport: A Vision Delivered!
Author: cgenter@gvsa.com
Mary Schmidt Campbell Center for Innovation & the Arts Completion
We’re thrilled to announce the completion and opening of Mary Schmidt Campbell Center for Innovation & the Arts at Spelman College!
Founded in 1881, Spelman is a historically Black college and a global leader in the education of women of African descent. The new Mary Schmidt Campbell Center for Innovation & the Arts is designed to amplify Spelman’s existing strengths in the arts and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) by setting up interactive relationships among these disciplines in a learning environment centered on collaboration.
The first building to be located just outside the campus’ historic gates, the Center is also designed to welcome the public into Spelman’s vibrant mix of people, ideas, and art—strengthening the College’s commitment to positive social change by forming new connections between higher education and the Westside Atlanta community.
The building’s upper floors are organized around two distinct hubs for collaboration. The first, located at the prominent southwest corner, is the light-filled Arthur M. Blank Innovation Lab—an interdisciplinary maker space where students from across the College come together to produce collaborative work using shared, state-of-the-art tools. The second hub, located at the heart of the Center, is the flexible Forum where students gather to present and discuss their work, learning how to develop their ideas through engaging multiple perspectives. Lit from above by a great skylight, the Forum can be seen by everyone in the surrounding spaces and is shaped to enable students from different majors to engage directly or obliquely with the pin-ups, performances, and other activities taking place.
The upper volume of the building shades the recessed ground floor to create a cool and inviting outdoor porch that overlooks soft gardens and rainwater swales. This comfortable threshold space connects the neighborhood with the building’s interior, where a theater, gallery, and dance studios support Spelman students to share their work and talents with the public—allowing the creative energy generated within the building to grow as it meets the community and the wider world.
Expressing a visual lightness that reflects its light carbon footprint, the architecture resonates with the historic campus and simultaneously signals Spelman’s contemporary trajectory. Patterned sunshades and screens on the upper levels are tuned to the angles of the sun to reduce energy use while allowing in natural light. Together with the bricks that ground the College’s color palette in the local Georgia clay, these layered, lightweight elements point to an environmental future where Black women and the knowledge and experiences of the African diaspora lead the way.
Project Team:
Client: Spelman College
Owner Representative: BDR
Design Architect and Architect of Record: Studio Gang
Associate Architect: Goode Van Slyke Architecture
Landscape Architect: SCAPE Landscape Architecture
Structural and Façade Engineer: Thornton Tomasetti
MEP Engineer and Sustainability Consultant: dbHMS
Civil Engineer: Long Engineering
Lighting Consultant: Morlights
Acoustics Consultant: Threshold Acoustics
Theater Consultant: Theatre Projects
AV/IT Consultant: Newcomb & Boyd
Cost Estimator: Venue
Utilities Engineer: RMF Engineering
General Contractor and Cost Consultant: Turner Construction Company
Commissioning Agent: Air Analysis, Inc
GVSA Aviation Studio
GVSA is an innovative, award-winning architectural firm. Since our inception we have earned a reputation for being good listeners and having the ability to take programs beyond their perceived limits during design. We have built a portfolio of work based on the value of doing good work through good design with exceptional service. GVSA has become notable for creative thinking, quick delivery, flexibility of service and an ability to really hear the needs of the client and end-user. Our extensive portfolio spans various sectors, demonstrating our deep expertise and commitment to excellence in each project, including our specialized work in the aviation sector. Our portfolio includes a diverse range of aviation projects, from commercial airports to private airstrips. We prioritize functionality, safety, and passenger experience in every design.
Norris Hunt, Director of Aviation and Special Projects – With 41 years of experience, Norris excels in managing diverse architectural projects, from aviation to mixed-use developments. His attention to detail and commitment to client satisfaction ensure the highest quality outcomes.
Kelvin Hall, Associate Director of Aviation and Special Projects – Kelvin has 28 years of experience in design, production, and project management across various architectural sectors including aviation and mission critical. He emphasizes constant communication with all involved in the project, ensuring successful project outcomes.
Check out the video of the Concourse D module move here.
Henderson Place
We’re thrilled to announce our partnership with Mercy Housing for the redevelopment of Henderson Place! It’s always fantastic to collaborate with repeat clients and being just a few blocks away from our office in the Old Fourth Ward adds an extra level of excitement. For more details, click here.
The Circle
One of GVSA’s projects located at 126 Renaissance was the filming location for Season 6 of The Circle on Netflix! 🎥🎬 We’re thrilled to be part of such a popular show, bringing our space to screens around the world. Get ready to see our project shine on Netflix!
Kiser Middle School Is In The News
Our team is proud to be working on the Kiser Middle School project in Greensboro, North Carolina. With our managing partner, Chris Goode, hailing from Greensboro, this project holds special significance for us. Check out the updates of Kiser Middle School here.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Concourse D Widening
History was made as the first module of the Concourse D expansion project was successfully transported on April 24, 2024! This groundbreaking project, a joint venture with Corgan, is revolutionizing airport construction with innovative modular design.
Thanks to Mammoet’s expertise in heavy lifting and transport, the project is soaring to new heights! The modular approach ensures minimal disruption, keeping gates open and passengers moving smoothly.
From strategic phasing to precision execution, every step is transforming the world’s busiest airport. Check out the highlight video here.
Redevelopment of James Allen Jr. Place Recognized with Award of Excellence
GVSA is thrilled to share that, in collaboration with Columbia Residential, our team served as the architects for the award-winning James Allen Jr. Place project. This project has received the prestigious Redevelopment Award of Excellence from the National Association of Local Housing Finance Agencies (NALHFA). Huge thanks to everyone involved in making this project a success!
Redevelopment of James Allen Jr. Place Recognized with Award of Excellence
Amana Academy Has a New Bioswale
Amana Academy has a new bioswale! Bioswales are a fantastic addition to any campus, as they not only assist with stormwater management but also provide educational and recreational opportunities. GVSA has been a long-time partner with Amana Academy, we are excited about the new addition to their campus. Amana Academy and GVSA’s commitment to sustainability and creating a greener environment is commendable. The outdoor classroom environment is a great way to engage students with nature and promote experiential learning. Here’s to a successful and eco-friendly school year for the students at Amana Academy, as they enjoy their new outdoor space!
Peace Academy Ribbon Cutting
Peace Academy is ready for the 2023 school year!
Charter schools leveraging the experience and knowledge of leading educators, have the best current methodology in education. The new PEACE academy charter school is the only charter-approved public school in the entire state of Georgia with an Afrocentric and culturally inclusive curriculum. GVSA, in association with Carroll Daniel was charged with bringing their vision of an inclusive and diverse community exposed to new critical thinking experiences to built life. The first step in that vision is through environmental impact.
Finding its home in a shopping center along a prominent throughway in Decatur, the school’s location places it firmly in the community. To bring that same experience of “community” into the learning space, there are two “forum” spaces which encourage and foster community and social learning critical in today’s digital life culture. Other impactful spaces within the school are large classrooms with integrated technological teaching tools for flexible teaching styles.
Currently educating kindergarten through third grade, the interior is accented with bright colors on walls and floors, and bright lighting. Enhancing the safety of the students, there are no exterior windows except in the lobby to bring in natural light. Each classroom has viewing windows facing the well-lit corridors and forum spaces. As the educational grades grow to include all middle school aged students, the interior environment will grow and change. #gvsa #goodevanslyke #goodevanslykearchitecture #carrolldaniels #peaceacademy #charterschools