Georgia Tech’s latest research facility, the George and Scheller Towers, has opened in Midtown Atlanta as the third phase of its Technology Square development. The 416,500-square-foot complex, designed by EskewDumezRipple alongside Rule Joy Trammell + Rubio, comprises two towers, one 14 stories tall and the other 18, to strengthen ties between academic research and Atlanta’s innovation sector.
The towers’ placement near startups, laboratories, and venture capital firms embodies Georgia Tech’s approach to supporting closer partnerships between its faculty, students, and industry collaborators. They function as a physical anchor for the city’s expanding research and development ecosystem, further establishing Atlanta as a center for technological progress.
Sustainability was central to the project’s design. The buildings consume 73% less energy than comparable structures under the AIA 2030 benchmark, while municipal water use is just one-seventh of the average Georgia Tech facility. Rainwater collection meets 70% of the complex’s water demands, and onsite stormwater systems manage 90% of rainfall, reducing strain on Atlanta’s infrastructure.
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The construction process itself minimized environmental impact. The concrete framework reduces the towers’ carbon output by over 20% compared to similar Atlanta projects, and locally sourced curtain walls support regional manufacturing. Additional features, such as daylighting, low-emission materials, bird-safe glass, and bike-friendly access, reinforce the project’s commitment to urban sustainability and occupant comfort.
Financial efficiency was also a priority. Despite meeting high-performance standards, the towers were constructed at a lower cost per square foot than recent Midtown developments. This balance of sustainability, affordability, and functionality establishes a model for institutional buildings in dense urban areas.
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