Henderson Library at Georgia Southern

Location: Statesboro, GA
Client: Georgia Southern University
Architect: Cogdell & Mendrala
Size: 239,099 SF

The Henderson Library at Georgia Southern project included two phases. Phase 1 was the addition phase and Phase II was the remodel phase, during which the library had to remain fully operational for the near 18,000 students. Preconstruction practices were a must for this project, beginning with our “kick off” meeting with everyone involved with the project. McKnight Construction, with the aid of our subcontractors, changed the original drawings which showed temporary security walls, fences, and constructions sequencing which enabled the owner to never have to alter the 24-hour, 7 days a week, service to the students that the existing library provides. The same preconstruction efforts took place prior to the start of Phase II, in which McKnight Construction had to make the same changes. These changes saved the owner money by not having to offer alternate locations of library services, and time through the change in constructability. Our value engineering efforts allowed the owner to save enough money for them to issue a change order to replace 3 floors of acoustical ceilings, which were over 30 years old and were to be left in place. McKnight finished this job on-time, under budget, and without any accidents.

The existing structure was originally built by McKnight about 35 years ago. The Henderson Library addition and renovation provides a 103,481 square foot addition and brings the total area to 239,099 square feet. Functional components include and entrance lobby, an “Information Commons” capable of 24-hour operation, an increase in shelving space, an automatic storage and retrieval system, group study rooms and staff offices. The original building was gutted and revamped inside and out, including a red brick façade. There are more than 1900 seats and 29 group study rooms available.