
Georgia Tech Krone Engineered Biosystems Building
Georgia Tech’s Engineered Biosystems Building is an innovative new model for research facilities that challenges the silos of traditional laboratory design, creating a system of open lab neighborhoods that foster engagement. A departure from traditional lab design, this “cross-cutting lab” implements continuous working laboratory space running down the spine of the building, with offices and meeting rooms in the wings. Daylight, outdoor views, a water harvesting system, and other biophilic elements used throughout the program encourage interaction. Technology and intelligent design work together to create multi-purpose open spaces with high levels of ecological performance.
In collaboration with Cooper Carry.

Georgia Tech’s Engineered Biosystems Building (EBB) is the cornerstone of a new research district located along a highly visible edge of campus. As a gateway building, EBB engages and activates the primary pedestrian axis through campus, outwardly expresses the innovation of its research programs. A small lobby and café serve as a living room where building occupants engage the broader community. At the center of the district is a restored historic watershed that celebrates low impact development strategies and includes an engineered wetland that filters and stores 100% of the building’s gray water demand and 100% of the district’s irrigation demand. EBB is a model of connectivity and synergy at every scale of design.
An innovative new model for research facilities, EBB challenges the silos of traditional laboratory design by creating a system of highly-adaptable, open lab neighborhoods organized around research themes instead of disciplines. The design leverages connections to the landscape, daylight, and views to encourage collaboration. EBB’s open lab structure facilitates an interactive lab experience through transparency and ease of collaboration. Breakrooms and restrooms bookend open lab neighborhoods on alternating floors to encourage vertical circulation.
Lounges and break-out spaces are strategically located at thresholds to foster engagement both horizontally and vertically. The open floor plan concept and narrow building footprint maximize transparency and unobstructed views across the building while enabling daylight to permeate deeply and effectively. Technology, passive design strategies, and programming work together to improve user comfort and safety while minimizing energy demands, resulting in a 64% energy reduction against standard benchmarks.
Laboratory buildings are typically heavy water and energy users . . . the design team managed to show that vast improvements can be achieved through ingenuity and integrated design.Jury
AIA COTE Top Ten Awards
Georgia Tech Krone Engineered Biosystems Building
Consultants
- Architect of Record: Cooper Carry
- Design Architect: Lake Flato Architects
- Landscape Architect: Nelson Byrd Woltz
- Structural: Uzun+Case
- MEP: Newcomb & Boyd
- Civil: Long Associates
- Lab Planning: RFD
- General Contractor: McCarthy Building Company
- Photography: Chris Cooper Photography + Jonathan Hillyer
Awards
- 2018 AIA Committee on the Environment Top Ten Award
- 2016 AIA San Antonio Design Award
- 2016 AIA San Antonio COTE Award
- 2016 AIA Georgia Merit Award