PES played a vital role in strengthening Georgia Southern University’s network infrastructure by providing comprehensive structural design services for the development of a new Network Operations Center (NOC). This project was a strategic investment by the university to ensure greater reliability, resiliency, and capacity in managing its rapidly growing data demands.

The initiative consisted of two major components. First, PES supported the transformation of the existing 1,500 SF NOC facility into IT department support space, expanding the university’s operational capabilities. Second, the team provided the structural design for a new 3,500 SF NOC facility, constructed adjacent to the primary NOC. This new, purpose-built center now serves as the core switching hub, primary computing center, and an additional point of presence (PoP) for Georgia Southern’s internet service provider (ISP), ensuring redundancy and expanded bandwidth for campus-wide connectivity.

The facility’s structural system was carefully designed to meet the stringent demands of a mission-critical environment. A steel-framed system with steel bar joist roof framing and metal deck roof sheathing forms the backbone of the building, delivering both strength and flexibility. The structure is anchored by a reinforced slab-on-grade foundation, providing durability and long-term stability. To enhance both performance and aesthetics, masonry walls with brick veneer were incorporated, supported on shallow foundations, balancing resilience with architectural character.

With its robust design, the new NOC significantly enhances the university’s ability to support advanced research, academic programs, and administrative operations that rely on secure, uninterrupted data services. By leveraging its expertise in structural engineering, PES contributed to the creation of a state-of-the-art facility that not only addresses today’s networking requirements but also provides scalability for future growth.