Overhead shot of the Digital Fabrication Lab's main floor

Student Resource Guide

Student Resource Guide

This is your one-stop-shop for information, resources, advice, and recommendations to help get you started here in the School of Architecture. 

Campus WiFi

Find out how to log into the campus WiFi network.

Visit the following website: https://www.lawn.gatech.edu/eduroam

Follow the instructions under “Manual Configuration Examples” to connect your devices (i.e., personal laptop, cell phone, tablets, etc.)

Once configured, your devices should automatically connect whenever within range of the wireless network (all of campus)

Software

Review the software that you will need on your personal laptop.

Laptop specs as required by Georgia Tech standards can be found here: https://arch.gatech.edu/computer-policy. Here you will also find information about specific hardware and software requirements.

Students can purchase Adobe CC for $75/year

Alternatively, students can purchase Adobe CC for $19.99/month at: https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/buy/students.html

Can be bought at discounted student price of $195 at: https://www.rhino3d.com/sales/north-america/United_States

  • This is a one-time purchase and the software will remain on your device indefinitely

90-day free trial is also available at: https://www.rhino3d.com/download/rhino-for-windows/6/evaluation

Accessing School Resources Remotely

You can access your coursework when you are not on campus using the VLAB and the Campus VPN.

VLAB is a connection that allows you to access your Georgia Tech computer files and drives on your personal laptop as if you logged into a computer on campus

Internet connection is needed to use VLAB

Instructions on how to access VLAB can be found at the following links:

For issues: https://faq.oit.gatech.edu/content/vlab-who-do-i-contact-support

Connecting to the campus VPN allows you to sync files on your computer to Georgia Tech’s server

Instructions on how to download required software and connect can be found here: https://design.gatech.edu/campus-vpn

Printing and Plotting

We have several printers and plotters availabe in the School of Architecture. Learn where they are, how to use the printers, and the cost.

  • Whether printing from a campus desktop or from your personal laptop, click ‘Print’ (either from the ‘File’ drop-down menu or from a printer icon button)
  • In the pop-up window, select either “Black ALL campus” or “COA Laptop Color” from the “Printer” drop-down menu
  • Check your print settings and then click “Print”
  • A pop-up window will appear. Enter your original Georgia Tech ID (this typically includes a number), then press ENTER
  • Swipe your Buzzcard in the keyboard of a supported print location, this will prompt the computer to display your print jobs, the cost of your print jobs, and your remaining Buzzcard balance
  • Select your print jobs on the computer and click “Print” to send them to the nearby printers

Printing Locations:

  • Hinman Main Floor (graduate studios): color and b+w printers located in a small room next to the Cave
  • Hinman Top Floor (undergraduate studios): color and b+w printers located towards the main entry of the building
  • Arch West (undergraduate studios): color and b+w printers located on the 3rd floor across from the print shop and 2nd floor in bridge

Printing Costs:

  • Cost is based on color setting, not paper size:
  • B+W: $0.04/page
  • Color: $0.19/page
  • Students are allocated $2.20/week on their Buzzcard for printing at any supported print location on campus

Students can print up to 1200 pages for free a semester by sending their print jobs to Georgia Tech’s central-ps (note that print jobs may not be available the same day; this is recommended for large b+w print jobs)

Find more information here: http://print.gatech.edu/central-ps

While connected to Georgia Tech’s network, go to https://software.oit.gatech.edu and follow the steps to download the software

Print Shop:

  • Located on the 3rd floor of Arch West
  • Plots 36” and 42” wide paper in color. No change in price for b+w.
  • Paper types: regular, heavy-bond, semi-gloss and mylar
  • Price is by foot and varies by paper type***
  • Must pay with Buzzcard
  • Must submit 300 dpi JPEG on a jump drive

Off-Campus Print Shop:

ARC Document Solutions, located on 10th Street. Pricing is cheaper, quality is also cheaper. You can upload your files to their website https://www.e-arc.com/location/atlanta/ under “Send Files.” GT Student should be listed as your company. You can specify your pick-up time in “description” Pricing will not be available until you pick up. You need to send files at least 2 hours in advance. Can pay with credit or debit.

If you have issues, submit a helpdesk ticket here: https://central.design.gatech.edu/helpdesk

Portfolios

Students are required to prepare and maintain a physical portfolio of their work throughout their time at the School of Architecture. There are several required portfolio-related events each year. The academic portfolio must contain work from all design studios and other courses where creative work is produced per guidelines below.

  • All design studios
  • All Media + Modeling classes
  • Construction Technology 1 & 2
  • Structures 1 & 2
  • All electives where creative work is produced, e.g. fabrication, collage, drawing, etc.
  • Professional work or any work done outside of school should not be included
  • Must be bound. Stay away from binding that causes portfolios to fall apart.
  • Paper matters. Stay away from low-quality bond paper.
  • Size is up to you, but we recommend no smaller than 8.5x11
  • Must include a current resume
  • Dropbox App for large images
  • Click on + and scan the document using your phone’s camera. Dropbox will adjust the photo as needed and make black and white
  • Hinman Scanner: located under the hammock stairs. Login to the adjacent computer to retrieve scans
  • Tripp’s shop has a large photography setup with lights and background. You must ask an assistant for a key.
  • Tripp’s shop also has a photo booth for smaller models that is located under the breezeway near the metal shop, no key needed
  • Hinman laser room: TBD

On-campus: OIT Printing & Copying Services. Various binding and paper options

Accent Graphics (agprintco.com)

ARC Document Solutions

Creative Approach

  • Address: 1080 West Peachtree Street Northwest, Atlanta, GA 30309
  • Website: https://mycreativeapproach.com/
  • Hours: M-F 8:30 am - 5:30 pm
  • Number: (404) 480-8222
  • Notes: Offers same day printing + binding, Bring compiled PDF on USB

Lulu.com

  • Online printing service that will ship your prints to you

Issuu Website (https://issuu.com/)

  • With a free account, you can upload up to 100 MB documents for public or specific shared viewing

Adobe Portfolio

  • Free service if you are paying for Adobe subscription

Materials

Discover where you can find materials for class projects and how/where to recycle used materials.

  • There are paper and cardboard rolling bins located throughout the College of Design. PLEASE recycle your laser scraps and paper scraps
  • Aluminum and Plastic recycling:
    • Hinman:
      • On the main floor, there is a recycling station next to the vending machines which are near the elevator
      • On the top floor the recycling center is located near the elevato
    • Architecture East:
      • Aluminum and plastic recycling is closed on the first and third floor near the elevators
      • Paper recycling bins can be found in studios
    • Architecture West:
      • Paper recycling bins can be found in studios
  • Blick Art Supplies
    • Address: 878 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
    • Hours: M-F 9 am - 8 pm; SAT 10 am - 8 pm; SUN 12 pm - 6 pm
    • Notes: Approximately a 15 minute walk from Hinman. Student discounts and coupons available via email mailing list
  • Binders
    • Address: Ponce City Market - 650 North Avenue NE Suite S 102, Atlanta, GA 30308
    • Hours: M-SAT 9 am - 9 pm; SUN 12 pm - 6 pm
    • Notes: Other location is in Buckhead - 330 Piedmont Rd NE #18, Atlanta, GA 30305, and they offer student discounts
  • Home Depot
    • Address: 650 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
    • Hours: M-SAT 6 am - 9 pm; SUN 8 am - 7 pm
    • Notes: Plywood and Metal
  • Located in the basement of Architecture East. Contact Tripp Edwards for orientation. There is a free material bin of scraps. Best pricing for acrylic is available through a shop worker. Must pay with Buzzcard. And don’t forget to wear eye protection!
  • Hours: TBA

Digital Fabrication Lab (DFL)

Orientation is required. Contact Tristan Al-Haddad to schedule an orientation.

You will also notice a lot of free scraps available in the DFL.

Laser Cutters

Learn how you can get trained for using the laser cutters and where to find laser cutters on campus.

ou must go through an orientation to use any laser cutters on campus. Contact Tripp Edwards (tripp.edwards@design.gatech.edu) to schedule. 

College of Design

There are 2 located in the Hinman Research Building and 2 located in Arch East (third floor in COA East next to Industrial Design Studio under professor offices). There is 1 machine in the Digital Fabrication Lab.

The Hive

Located between the Van Leer building and Tech Green - Hours 12:00 pm - 6:00pm. Peer instructors are available to help. 

Fabrication

We take pride in our fabrication resources here at Georgia Tech. Find out how and where you can fabricate projects.

There is also a metal shop in the basement of Architecture West that requires a separate walkthrough with Tripp Edwards.

Address: 676 Marietta Street, Atlanta, GA 30318
Hours:
            Monday-Thursday: 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
            Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
            Saturday: Closed                              
            Sunday: 2:00 - 8:00pm

  • Located between the Van Leer building and Tech Green
  • Hours: 12:00pm - 6:00pm
  • Services: 3D printing service  / Plasma cutter - FREE

Food and Coffee

Need a quick cup of coffee? Looking for a great lunch or dinner spot? Look no further!

  • Galloway café: main floor of Arch West
    • Monday-Friday 7:45AM- 6:00PM
    • takes dining dollars and Buzzfunds
    • Serves sandwiches, pastries and coffee
  • Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons:
    • Starbucks:
      • Monday-Friday 8:00AM-1:00AM, Sat-Sun 9:00AM-6:00PM
    • Multiple vending machines (3rd floor vending machine serves hot coffee in a cup)
  • Van Leer/MRDC
    • Top Time Coffee
      • Monday – Friday, 8am – 4pm
  • Student Center:
    • First Level: Chick-fil-A, Auntie Anne’s, Subway, Panda Express, Auditions, Blue Donkey Cafe
    • Second Level: Twisted Taco, Ray’s NY Pizza, Dunkin Donuts, Far East Fusion, Essential Eats, Simply-To-Go, salad & soup bar, assorted bottled drinks, King of Pops freezer
  • Highland Bakery: 224 Uncle Heinie Way NW
    • Monday-Friday 8:00AM - 3:00PM, Sat-Sun Closed
  • West Village Starbucks:
    • Monday-Friday 10:00AM-1:00AM, Sat-Sun 10:00AM-8:00PM
  • Vending Machines:

Tech Square:

  • Umma, Moe’s, Tin Drum, Waffle House, Yogli Mogli, The Gyro Bros, Ray’s NY Pizza, Chuck’s Famous, Starbucks, Subway

Amélie’s French Bakery: 

  • 840 Marietta St NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
  • Monday-Friday 7:00AM-7:00PM, Sat-Sun 8:00AM-7:00PM
  • Convenient location if working out of the DFL

Other

Here are a few additional, miscellaneous resources that you may find helpful as you get started here at Georgia Tech.

Canvas is where your professors will post assignments and grades.

  • Find the Stringer and Tech Trolley schedules at http://bus.gatech.edu/
  • From 7pm to 7am you can use the Stingerette app to request a pick-up and drop off rides around campus. There is an iPhone app for it.

 

  • Lockers are available for students to use
  • Students must supply their own lock

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