April 18, 2025

Dr. Georg Reichard has been named the new chair of Georgia Tech’s School of Building Construction, effective July 1. He joins the College of Design from Virginia Tech, where he is currently Professor and Head of the Department of Building Construction and the Associate Director of Operations in the Myers-Lawson School of Construction. 

 “Georg Reichard brings a wealth of experience to the school and the college. I am particularly excited to collaborate with him on expanding our undergraduate program, strengthening our links to Atlanta’s vibrant construction and real estate development industry, and expanding our important applied research portfolio,” Dean and John Portman Chair of the College of Design, Dr. Ellen Bassett said.

“Here at the College of Design, we are tackling the key challenges facing us in the built environment – extreme urban heat, infrastructure deterioration, the lack of affordable housing, and rising costs of construction—to name just a few,” Bassett said.

“Our approach to design and construction is very community-engaged, but, of course, we always integrate the role and potential of existing, new and yet-to-be-invented technologies,” Bassett said. “Georg is laser-focused on preparing students for the digital and robotic transformations of design, construction, and building operations.”

Reichard said he intends to leverage the School of Building Construction’s interdisciplinary nature to lead a culture of “AEC 4.0” at Georgia Tech. 

“Construction 4.0, a key part of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, is unfolding before our eyes and being embraced by stakeholders across the board. It’s our moment to lead, innovate, and redefine the future of building,” Reichard said.

“With our diverse portfolio of programs in the School of Building Construction and Georgia Tech’s College of Design, we’re uniquely positioned to expand this bold vision—establishing ourselves as a leading destination for researchers and scholars shaping the future of the Built Environment through AEC 4.0,” he said.

Reichard has focused on collaborative education (undergraduate and graduate) for the last 20 years. A faculty member at Virginia Tech since 2004, he has supervised more than 18 Ph.D. students. His research has been supported by an array of federal agencies, private corporations, and industry partnerships for more than $20M.

He has been instrumental in expanding the vision of the Society of Building Science Educators (SBSE) across the AEC sectors, while also strengthening its interdisciplinary collaboration with federal agencies such as the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) and the Department of Energy.

Reichard also represents the U.S. as one of two members on the Board of the International Council for Research and Innovation in Building Construction (CIB), where he chairs the Membership and Communication Committee, fostering global connections among building construction researchers and institutions.

Reichard holds three degrees in Civil Engineering, including his doctorate, from Graz University of Technology in Austria.