A water leak has caused significant damage to Ginsburg Hall, a newly built computer science building at the University of Southern California (USC). The leak occurred overnight and affected all seven floors of the building, which is known for its state-of-the-art labs and high-tech equipment.
The university’s facilities planning and management team confirmed that the leak started from the attic of Ginsburg Hall on Wednesday. They responded quickly, shutting off the water and beginning repairs. However, the extent of the damage is still unclear, and there is no timeline yet for when the building will reopen.
Ginsburg Hall, which opened in September, covers 116,000 square feet and was built with a budget of $130 million. It was designed by the architecture firm HOK and features advanced technology, including labs for autonomous aerial vehicle research and robotics. The building is also notable for being the first at USC to receive LEED platinum certification, reflecting its commitment to sustainability.
Students and researchers who use the building have been advised to check their equipment but will not have access to the facility until repairs are completed. The incident has raised concerns among the university community, especially given the building’s recent popularity as a study spot featuring soundproof study pods that gained attention on social media.
USC has not provided specific details on the damage or the repair process, but updates are expected as the situation develops.