The first phase of the University of Georgia Poultry Science Complex has earned Three Peaches. The Georgia Peach Green Building Rating System recognizes and rates building projects based on energy efficiency and sustainable construction standards.
Flad partnered with UGA to design the 75,000-square-foot facility, which provides a modern research and teaching environment for the poultry science program after it had outgrown its original 1959 facility. With a brick Neo-Georgian exterior, the building seamlessly meshes with the campus' established architectural narrative while the flexible interior spaces support the innovation needed to address current challenges and discover new possibilities.
In line with the university's commitment to replacing vehicular corridors with pedestrian thoroughfares, the site's landscaping reinforces its relationship within the campus fabric, both environmentally and historically. In addition to designing the building's footprint to preserve an 80-year-old heritage tree, the site features a collection of native trees, noninvasive shrubs, and ground covers appropriate for the local climate.
The project reduces energy use and carbon emissions by 30 percent compared to baseline, achieving significant energy savings through a variety of targeted measures. This includes high-performance, low-flow fume hoods; automatic temperature and occupancy setbacks; and recovering exhausted heat for reuse.
Approximately 40 percent of total building materials were locally sourced in Georgia. This includes concrete, rebar, steel studs and track, cast stone, gypsum board and sheathing, and many other construction materials, reducing the environmental impact of transportation. In addition, low-flow plumbing fixtures help reduce the building's water usage by 45 percent.
University of Georgia 
Poultry Science Complex
June 18, 2025