The project consisted of renovation of a 27,110-square-foot building near the historic Gibbes Green district of USC’s main campus. The project initially focused on the complete replacement of the existing HVAC system and infrastructure. For example, a new high-efficiency VAV system was installed, and the building was brought up to current standards. Further, new tertiary chilled water pumps, building heating water pumps, a steam to hot water heat exchanger, and a condensate pump was installed in an existing basement mechanical room. The building also received a new fire pump and sprinkler system, and all existing historic steel framed windows were upgraded with high-efficiency glazing. Other exterior historic features were preserved, and the roof was replaced to mitigate issues with the existing internal gutter system. 
 
During construction described above, USC’s Board of Trustees determined that the building should become the new home for the Office of the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, as well as include new upfits throughout the building footprint to create more academic space/classrooms for the College. These changes essentially entailed completely gutting the interior spaces, replacing walls and ceilings, and renovating the space to accommodate eight classrooms and eight study rooms – all wired for the latest technology, projection equipment, and computer hook-ups. As significant construction activities were already underway, GMK met client requirements by completing building programming, preliminary and final design, as well as construction documents through a change order under an extremely aggressive schedule. GMK successfully completed its design services within approximately 2 months. Ultimately, the $5.5M project was completed after 18 months of construction on time for the beginning of classes for UofSC’s 2013 fall semester.