Location: Atlanta, GA
SLKA Services: MEP/FP Engineering | Lead Electrical Engineering | Construction Administration
S. L. King & Associates, Inc. (SLKA) has supported the National Center for Civil and Human Rights (NCCHR) through multiple phases of its development and evolution, beginning with engineering services for the original facility and continuing through its major renovation and expansion and subsequent improvements.
Original Facility | 2010
SLKA provided full mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection (MEP/FP) engineering services in support of the original construction of the National Center for Civil and Human Rights.
The facility was conceived as a significant cultural destination in Atlanta, creating a dedicated environment for exhibitions, education and engagement centered on civil and human rights.
Renovation & Expansion | 2021–2022
More than a decade after its original involvement, SLKA returned to support the Center's next phase of growth, serving as Lead Electrical Engineer and providing Construction Administration services for an approximately $24 million renovation and expansion.
The project added approximately 21,400 square feet of new construction to the existing facility through major east and west wing additions.
The approximately 6,600-square-foot East Wing introduced new educational, event and visitor-support spaces, including an Innovation Lab with flexible classroom space, ticketing functions, support areas and a new outdoor event plaza.
The approximately 14,800-square-foot West Wing added significant exhibit, visitor and operational space across three levels, including a children's Family Gallery, café/retail area, exhibit and event support spaces, facilities engineering functions, and new vertical circulation. The expansion also created a new gallery dedicated to the Without Sanctuary collection and flexible gallery space for changing exhibitions and multipurpose programming.
Sustainability was incorporated throughout the project, with the design targeting a minimum of LEED Silver certification, with LEED Gold or higher identified as an aspirational goal.
Additional Electrical Design | 2025
SLKA's involvement with the Center continued in 2025, when the firm was engaged to provide electrical design services for a new café within NCCHR, further supporting enhancements to the visitor experience and the continued evolution of the facility.
2026 ENR Southeast Best Project
The National Center for Civil and Human Rights Renovation & Expansion was recognized as a 2026 ENR Southeast Best Project in the Cultural/Worship category.
The recognition celebrates the collective work and collaboration of the project team and adds another significant honor to SLKA's portfolio of award-winning civic and cultural projects.
From supporting the engineering of the original facility to returning more than a decade later for its expansion and subsequent improvements, SLKA's work at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights reflects a continuing relationship with an important Atlanta institution as its facilities, programming and impact have evolved.
We engineer for impact. We design with purpose.