Emory University
Rollins School of Public Health
Atlanta, GA

In the three decades since its founding, the Rollins School has moved into the top tier of national graduate public health institutions. However, the constraints of its original building hamper the ability to grow further and to fulfill academic, research and service initiatives. Expansion of the curriculum is also on the horizon.

Ayers/Saint/Gross was asked to perform a feasibility study for building expansion and consolidation. The purpose was two-fold: To provide a vehicle for identifying needs and solutions in order to initiate fund raising, and to define all challenges and opportunities based on physical and empirical analyses, which will lead to architectural design.

In collaboration with Emory's public health and health affairs leadership, and campus planners, Ayers/Saint/Gross was able to determine program requirements, project needs for 20 years, address deficiencies, leverage the site's potential, and examine opportunities for collaborative teaching and research, particularly with the School of Medicine.

The proposed site is an open lot bounded by the Woodruff School of Nursing (also an Ayers/Saint/Gross project), a research building and a parking deck. To meet code and zoning setbacks, the new building will require relocation of surface parking, the public health and nursing turnaround, a storm water pond, and the cooling towers. An access road will be realigned.

The proposed building is 11 stories, one of which is below grade. It will become the new face of the School of Public Health while connecting to the existing building and the research facility. It will also allow the School of Public Health to continue to attract and retain top faculty members and students.

Completion: 2005 (study)
Size: 246,400 GSF (additional space) Cost: $94,400,000