Georgia State University’s new Convocation Center doubles the arena it replaces and is expected to give a shot in the arm to a long-neglected Atlanta neighborhood. The new 200,000 sf multi-use venue in the Summerhill area of Atlanta is the new home for the university’s men’s and women’s basketball teams and will also be used for large-scale academic and community events.
With a seating capacity of up to 8,000, the facility provides users with world-class amenities, including a club room and suites for attendees and locker rooms, nursing, and sports medicine rooms for student athletes. The design concept, “A Window to the City,” includes elements offering visitors a heightened sense of awareness and connection to their community and deliberately turns its focus to the surrounding neighborhood and the larger city beyond.
The detailing of the primary cladding system, an insulated metal panel system over a steel frame, aimed to create a clean façade expression incorporating glazing, ventilation, and entry without compromising its inherent economy or the simplicity of its overall effect. The new facility includes the latest in lighting technology, acoustics, and building control systems. Wayfinding is integrated into the facility’s design, giving a sleek finish. Masonry and cement flooring make for easy maintenance and cleaning, while floor-to-ceiling glass windows welcome natural light and offer guests a visual connection to the downtown Atlanta skyline.
The design team worked with a Perkins&Will research group to model glare, views, and direct sunlight infiltration for each seat and the playing floor. This work allowed for dramatic city views without affecting the usability of the facility.
As a hosting site for the 1996 Olympic Games and later the Atlanta Braves Major League Baseball team, Summerhill was once a thriving and vibrant community that has since experienced years of neglect and isolation. The new Convocation Center will attract visitors to the area for numerous sporting and cultural events.
On the project team:
Owner: Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia; Georgia State University
Design architect: Perkins&Will
Architect of record: The S/L/A/M Collaborative (SLAM)
MEP engineer: CBRE, Heery
Structural engineer: Walter P Moore
General contractor: Brasfield & Gorrie
Civil Engineer & Landscape Architect: Kimley-Horn
Related Stories
| Jan 2, 2015
Construction put in place enjoyed healthy gains in 2014
Construction consultant FMI foresees—with some caveats—continuing growth in the office, lodging, and manufacturing sectors. But funding uncertainties raise red flags in education and healthcare.
| Dec 30, 2014
A simplified arena concept for NBA’s Warriors creates interest
The Golden State Warriors, currently the team with the best record in the National Basketball Association, looks like it could finally get a new arena.
| Dec 28, 2014
AIA course: Enhancing interior comfort while improving overall building efficacy
Providing more comfortable conditions to building occupants has become a top priority in today’s interior designs. This course is worth 1.0 AIA LU/HSW.
| Dec 18, 2014
Top 10 sports facilities of 2014: Designboom ranks the year's best projects
The list includes some of the year's epic stadiums, such as World Cup Stadium Arena de Amazonia in Manaus, Brazil, and smaller projects, like the Spordtgebouw Sports Centerin the Netherlands.
| Nov 19, 2014
Must see: Arup, Damian Rogers propose urban surf park in Melbourne
The surfing pool would offer 98-foot-wide waves that would run the length of the 500-foot-long enclave.
| Nov 18, 2014
New tool helps developers, contractors identify geographic risk for construction
The new interactive tool from Aon Risk Solutions provides real-time updates pertaining to the risk climate of municipalities across the U.S.
| Nov 18, 2014
Fan of the High Line? Check out NYC's next public park plan (hint: it floats)
Backed by billionaire Barry Diller, the $170 million "floating park" is planned for the Hudson River, and will contain wooded areas and three performance venues.
| Nov 6, 2014
Studio Gang Architects will convert power plant into college recreation center
The century-old power plant will be converted into a recreation facility with a coffee shop, lounges, club rooms, a conference center, lecture hall, and theater, according to designboom.
Sponsored | | Nov 5, 2014
Welcome to sports central
The Fieldhouse Sportscenter in Springfield, Mo., serves as a community center for basketball and volleyball leagues and tournaments.
