In 1867, the original Department of Education was created to collect information on schools and teaching that would help the States establish effective school systems in the U.S. A little more than a decade later, American steel production began to grow from 380,000 tons to 60 million tons annually. By 1900 the US was the largest producer of steel. Steel magnate Andrew Carnegie, having grown up in a family that believed in the importance of books and learning, was dedicated to education and founded 1600 libraries with some of his enormous steel fortune.
Steel, LLC has had the honor and privilege to work on several educational institution projects over the years. Here are a few highlights:
UGA Indoor Athletic Facility, Athens, Georgia
The 109,000 square foot state-of-the-art Indoor Athletic Facility for the nationally-ranked Georgia Bulldogs is located on the Woodruff Practice Fields and includes a 100-yard football practice field, 65-meter track runway, and jumping pits. Steel, LLC fabricated the structural steel on 13 trusses at the roof that span more than 200 feet long. This span allows for an open expanse to house the indoor practice field measuring in at 140 yards long and 80 yards wide. Steel also fabricated the rails at the catwalk system above the field that wraps around the roof so UGA athletics can record practice sessions. The Woodruff Practice field complex now includes the artificial turf indoor facility, two natural grass football practice fields, and an outdoor artificial turf multi-purpose area.
Drew Charter School, Atlanta, Georgia
Drew Charter School opened in 2000 as Atlanta Public Schools’ first charter school. Since then, Drew has provided an innovative approach to education for children and families of the East Lake and Kirkwood communities in southeastern Atlanta. Steel, LLC provided furnishings and installation of 509 tons of structural and miscellaneous steel as well as the joists and metal deck for bold structure housing grades 6 through 12. The school’s narrow 83-foot-wide classroom building accommodates classrooms, labs, studios, and offices in its striking 577-foot-long arcing form. Beautiful ochre-tinged, Tennessee fieldstone highlights the monumental entrance and walls of the concrete-frame structure.
Clayton State University Science Building, Morrow, Georgia
Lakeview Discovery and Science Center is the state-of-the-art education facility Steel, LLC worked on for Clayton State University in Morrow, Georgia. The 64,000 square foot building stands three stories tall and provides a learning and research center for the more than 7,000 CSU students. The scope of the project included the fabrication and erection of the structural steel framing as well as the miscellaneous steel for stairs, rails and more. The new science building will help meet the demands of the Atlanta area for trained professionals in STEM and healthcare professions. Clayton State was recognized by U.S. News and World Report for having the most diverse student body among comprehensive baccalaureate-level colleges and universities in the Southern United States.
Steel, LLC’s education projects have been some of our favorites and most rewarding. If you’re interested in learning more about how steel can benefit your next project, please get in touch with one of our experts today.