See Inside the Restored D.M. Smith Building

By: Jennifer Herseim, Photos by Sam Gay | Categories: Featured Stories

Many alumni will remember taking a class in the iconic D.M. Smith Building at the heart of campus on Cherry Street, across from the Georgia Tech Library. Built in 1923, the red brick building with collegiate Gothic details received a well-deserved restoration to bring the building into the new century.

While enhancing accessibility, functionality, and sustainability, the refresh also preserved the building’s rich history. During construction, crews made several discoveries, including uncovering metal panels that were used in the original lecture halls to reveal skylights in the ceiling and hundred-year-old signatures from Tech students on the walls of a hallway. The signatures and skylight panels were saved and highlighted as well as original wood flooring, which was salvaged for reuse.

Two gas cylinders were found under the auditorium and will be displayed in the waiting area. The original terrazzo floors were preserved along with some of the woodwork at the main entrance. Several slate chalkboards will also be rehung in spaces in the building.

The restoration also electrified D.M. Smith, which originally relied on steam from the central plant. The upgrades are in alignment with Tech’s carbon-reduction goals. 

The Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy moved into the building at the end of October.

See photos of the restoration and the completed building below.