Project Overview
The Georgia Gwinnett College (GCC) Gateway Building and Infrastructure project in Lawrenceville, Georgia involved the construction of a new central energy plant and the school’s first-ever Convocation Center.
A New Hub for the Grizzlies
The new 72,000-square-foot Convocation Center serves as a vibrant hub for campus life and a prominent landmark at the Lawrenceville campus’ east entry. Designed to accommodate up to 3,000 guests, the multipurpose facility includes a main event space, collegiate-sized basketball and volleyball courts, locker rooms, and a presidential suite.
The three-story building also houses student health, wellness, and recreation areas, along with dining services, group exercise rooms, and a 5,400-square-foot fitness mezzanine. Flexible-use spaces and student commons provide opportunities for study, collaboration, and social interaction, supporting events ranging from commencements and athletic competitions to concerts and student gatherings.
Powering the Future
The Gateway Project also involved building a new central energy plant (CEP), which will provide chilled water for the Convocation Center and nine additional campus facilities. Underground piping from the CEP consolidated three decentralized systems, significantly reducing operational costs. Developed from a 2015 university study on campus utility coordination, the CEP marks the first step toward a fully centralized system designed to enhance efficiency and reliability.