Planning, Design and Construction

Buildings on Kennesaw State University's Kennesaw Campus

Campus Planning 
Design and Construction
Renovation and Repairs 

A Project isn't just "a project" at Facility Planning, Design and Construction Services (FPDCS). Each project is comprised of many components, which are all skillfully coordinated by our staff. Our project managers have decades of experience both public and private in delivering high quality solutions for the built environment.   

The FPDCS staff oversees budgeting, scheduling, design and construction integrity and ensuring that the University receives the highest quality facilities on time and in budget. We manage consultants and contractors and stipulate adherence to University, Georgia Board of Regents and industry standards, and coordinate hundreds of different personnel and stakeholders.  

Our planners and architects guide University departments through the entire building process while providing comprehensive planning, design excellence, quality construction, exceptional service and a sustainable campus environment.

Campus Planning

Campus Planning oversees the planning of new buildings, offices, classrooms and other spaces at KSU.  We work collaboratively to design spaces that align with the vision articulated in the Campus Master Plan and that serve the long-term needs of various KSU departments. We strive to design spaces that are environmentally sensitive, equitable and that foster productivity and innovation.

Our work centers around responding to and advancing project-planning requests, inventorying existing spaces and assisting with space management needs and implementing the Campus Master Plan.

Questions? Comments? Concerns? Let us know!  Email: campusplanning@kennesaw.edu

  • Campus Planning works with KSU’s Chief Administrative Officer, Fiscal affairs department, KSU’s Space and Project Working Group and Executive Space Planning Group to develop and review campus space and project/planning requests. As part of Facilities Services, we also work with the University System of Georgia Facilities, Real Estate and Planning staff, to maintain an ongoing discussion of current and proposed capital projects and all projects that exceed KSU’s financial delegated authority and the necessary documentation needed for advancing those projects. Please refer to the Campus Planning Process for more details.

    Facilities Services adheres to the Office of Fiscal Services year-end deadlines that are published on the Fiscal Services website. Per these deadlines, requests for major construction or renovations that will require architectural design and/or engineering services should be submitted in the Fall. If year-end funds are to be considered for a project, the project request will need to be submitted in adequate time to allow for Facilities review, Space and Project Working Group and Executive Space Planning Group review.  

    Campus Planning meets monthly with the University System of Georgia Facilities, Real Estate and Planning staff to review current KSU capital projects, potential capital projects, potential lease or PPV projects. When necessary due to project scope and project cost, Campus Planning will submit a Project Concept Proposal for the system office to review and approve. Once approved, the project would be placed on the monthly BOR meeting agenda for approval. 

  • All campus requests for space and projects should be submitted via the online Space/Planning Project Request form.

    Space/Planning Project Request Form

    When the requestor submits the information, the online system will automatically route the request to the requestor’s direct supervisor for approval.  Once approved, the request will route to “Planning, Design and Construction” for review.  At this stage, we will determine if the request needs to be routed to others for approval (for example, College Dean or Department AVP), or if it needs to be routed to the Space Working Group for review at a monthly meeting.  If additional approvals are needed, Campus Planning will request them and the requestor will be notified.  When all necessary approvals have been obtained, the project will route to Design and Construction for potential assignment to a project manager.  Project Managers will be assigned based on the current workloads and number of funded projects.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • An AIM Request is used for reporting general maintenance and repair issues involving HVAC, plumbing, lights, leaks, spills and electrical. AIM requests are also used for surplus and moving furniture within a campus. Building Services and Grounds requests are for keeping the buildings and grounds clean and attractive. 
  • Submit an online space/planning project request form. 
  • The online form is simple to complete with several multiple-choice options. The form allows for text entry for explaining request details and allows for documents to be uploaded to further develop the request. Information concerning any of the following is useful for Facilities Services during the initial space/planning/project request review:
    • Current use of space in question
    • Assigned occupant of space in question
    • Proposed use of space in question
    • Number of faculty and staff the space will need to accommodate
    • Number of students the space will need to accommodate (for classroom, lab, or study space)
    • Physical layout of space
    • Requested physical changes to space
    • Potential mechanical or infrastructure changes needed to space
    • Source of funds for potential renovations
    • Anticipated budget
    • Other departments you're working with (e.g., UITS, Door Access, Office of Strategic Communications and Marketing, etc.)
  • If you have no offices available in your current inventory, please submit a space/planning project request form. If you have suggestions of where the offices could be, please note that information on the form.
  • Facilities does not allocate classroom space. If you want to modify existing classroom space, please submit a space/planning project request form. Any major modifications to classroom space will need approval by the Space and Project Working Group, the Executive Space Planning Group and the President.
    • Project Authorization, construction cost not to exceed - $750,000
    • Other Professional Services Contracting, Fee limit - $120,000
    • Construction Contracting Limit - $1,000,000
  • As with all construction projects, initiating a project as early as possible is essential to its timely completion. It is especially important to allow adequate time to plan, schedule, design, bid (if necessary) and secure University and University System of Georgia (if necessary) approvals. Many projects can take upwards of eight months from the date the project planning request is submitted to the date of completion.

  • While Facilities will help finalize costs during the review process, departments should use the guidelines below to estimate the project cost and determine the funding source for the project. Budget estimating guidelines are below (all costs are approximate).  

    General Costs

    • Item
      Cost
    • Furniture
      $50 sq. ft.
    • Construction
      $50 – $70 sq. ft.
    • Furniture Move
      $1,500 – $2,400 for a small office suite (+/- five offices)

    Minor Construction

    • Item
      Cost
    • Single divider wall, painted
      $2,000 – $3,000
    • Electrical
      $300 – $500 per outlet, switch, etc.
    • Flooring – Carpet
      $3 sq. ft.
    • Flooring – Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT)
      $5 sq. ft.
    • New door (stained or painted) and frame
      $1,000 – $1,500
    • Door hardware – SALTO lock
      $600 – $1,200
    • Demolition
      Varies

    Signage

    • Item
      Cost
    • Department logo
      $1,500
    • Directory map (24 x 36 acrylic frames and graphics)
      $225
    • Office sign
      $85 – $125
    • Overhead sign
      $200 – $30

     

Design and Construction

The Design and Construction unit within Facilities Services is responsible for effectively managing the design process and overseeing new construction and renovations of existing space and infrastructure in support of teaching, learning, research and other activities at Kennesaw State University.

This team consists of a professional staff with backgrounds that range from project management, architecture, interior design, construction and engineering. Through collaboration and expertise in their fields, the Design and Construction unit is able to implement sound architectural and engineering design while committing to sustainability practices.

    • Liaison between Kennesaw State University and the Board of Regents Real Estate and Facilities Office and GSFIC, including all reporting for consultant procurement, capital and facility planning and space management activities.
    • Supports leadership in developing Capital requests to the Board of Regents Facilities Office for construction and maintenance programs.
    • Facilitation of the project development process from initial discovery efforts through professional design services. Coordination of consultant and construction services contracts.
    • In-house small project design services.
    • Interior Design services to ensure consistency with Kennesaw State University design standards.
    • Construction Management for all Kennesaw State University Facilities renovation and space upgrade projects. 

  • The Division of Facilities Services is responsible to ensure the University is code compliant in multiple facets by providing a safe and healthy work environment to the campus community. This includes furniture placement and the possible need of infrastructure (electrical/data) to support furniture’s operational capability. 

    A furniture purchase that is either 1) to replace existing furniture, 2) add additional furniture with existing furniture or 3) to fully furnish a new space/room is required to receive pre-approval by Facility Design and Construction Services. To obtain an approval, submit a request via email to facilities@kennesaw.edu for review prior to submitting a furniture order. Upon receiving Facilities approval, the requesting University office/college may then submit the furniture order with Procurement for purchasing.

    The following documents are required to be included with your furniture review request:

    • A layout of the new and existing (if applicable) furniture generated in a floor plan of the space/room to be installed.
      • The floor plan needs to illustrate accurate measurements of the room’s walls, door(s), and window(s) (if applicable).
        • If it is an existing space/room, field measurements will need to be taken and incorporated into the floor plan. 
      • Illustrate dimensions on the floor plan for required clearances with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Standards for Accessible Design (Chapter 4) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 101 Life Safety Code, using the most recent Editions issued for both.
      • Identify which furniture is new and existing (if applicable). 
      • Illustrate accurate existing outlet locations of electrical and data if needed for the furniture. If new electrical or data outlets will need to be installed, a Facilities Planning Request Form is required to be submitted prior to a furniture purchase.
    • Furniture vendor’s proposal. 
    • Completed Furniture questionnaire.

    Please note: The furniture vendor will supply the furniture plan and proposal. The questionnaire will be completed by the University office/college submitting the review request. 

    Furniture purchases will only be approved by using the Statewide Mandatory Contracts, managed by the Department of Administrative Services (DOAS). For guidance on using services with a furniture manufacturer’s representative, please contact the Division of Facilities Services via email (facilites@kennesaw.edu) or telephone (470) 578-6224. 

Renovation and Repair Services

Renovation and Repair Services oversee construction management and construction services of small campus renovations, repairs and maintenance projects for the University. Work is completed using Annual Agency Contracts and the Task Order Contract.

  • Renovation and Repair Services' maintenance areas include building roof replacement, maintenance and repairs of any roof leaks, major interior and exterior painting, exterior building cleaning/washing, flooring replacement, repairs and installation of sidewalks.

    The Carpenter Shop

    The primary function of the Carpenter Shop is to ensure that our buildings provide a safe and comfortable learning environment for our students, visitors, faculty and staff.  The majority of the work performed by the Carpenter Shop is limited to the interior of our buildings, but we do maintain various aspects of the exterior of University structures.    

    • Maintain and repair fixed seating and inspect removable seating for the University's classrooms
    • Small painting projects and removal of graffiti
    • Replacing damaged or stained ceiling tiles
    • Install and repair ceilings: commercial (grid and tile) and residential (wood, plaster and drywall)
    • Repair drywall and plaster walls
    • Framing consisting of commercial (metal) and residential (wood)
    • Minor repairs to furniture
    • Repair of bathroom partitions and shower doors
    • Finish carpentry consisting of cabinetry, countertops, drawers, trim, handrails and steps
    • Repair damage and/or unstop gutters and downspouts
    • Repair/replace damaged flooring materials
    • Repair damaged handrails
    • Hang plaques, pictures, flags, quilts and other items on walls
    • Install bulletin boards, chalk boards, white boards, pictures, and plaques
    • Repair existing doors and frames
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