Georgia Tech Breaks Ground on High-Tech Athlete Performance Center

The Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) recently broke ground on a new athletic center for its campus in Atlanta, Ga., according to a news release. The Thomas A. Fanning Student-Athlete Performance Center will measure in at 100,000 square feet and include facilities for strength and conditioning, sports medicine, mental health services, nutrition, and meeting and office space. The Board of Regents approved the project in April 2022. The university is partnering with the S/L/A/M Collaborative (SLAM) for the project’s design and DPR Construction for its construction, the news release reports.

The Fanning Center will also feature the university’s first sports science lab. The lab will use pro-model motion tracking to collect student-athlete performance data, which will then funnel into an in-building data analytics office for analysis and performance tracking.


Image courtesy of SLAM

“It’s been incredibly special to have led the design for my alma mater, creating a new epicenter of athletics that is holistically dedicated to student-athletes’ success,” said Marc Clear, SLAM lead architect and principal. “The groundbreaking of the Thomas A. Fanning Student-Athlete Performance Center is an exciting milestone in creating this technology-rich home for GT Athletics.”

Sustainability features will include cross-laminated timber to provide warm accents throughout the facility; repurposed steel from the existing Bobby Dodd Stadium infrastructure; and energy-reduction strategies throughout the building.

”As the college athletics landscape evolves, we’re thrilled to start bringing Georgia Tech’s vision for student-athletes and its campus to life,” said DPR Construction project executive and Georgia Tech alum Brian Oliver. “We’re also proud that this project will help support opportunities for local workers in the skilled trades, many of whom feel personal connections with the campus and its athletic program.”

The Fanning Center is scheduled to open its doors in spring 2026, the news release reports.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Little Grand Market

    Designing for Belonging: Why Student Wellness Starts with Space

    From walkable site planning to flexible interiors, intentional design choices play a critical role in how students experience comfort, connection, and community.

  • Pitzer College

    Designing for Change in Higher Ed Learning Environments

    Higher education will continue to evolve, and learning environments must evolve with it. By prioritizing adaptable infrastructure, thoughtful reuse, strong energy performance, and wellness-centered design, campuses can create spaces that support learning today while remaining flexible for the future.

  • blurry image capturing students navigating crowded hallways between classes

    How Human Behavior Data Is Reshaping Campus Facilities Management

    The ebb and flow of students, faculty, and administrators across a campus have a larger impact on maintenance, cleaning, and sustainability than many realize.

  • LSU Breaks Ground on $200M Residential Project

    Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, La., recently broke ground on a new residential complex, according to university news. The South Quad residential project will consist of two buildings and add a total of 1,266 beds for freshmen students. The development comes with a price tag of $200 million, and it’s scheduled to open to students in fall 2027.