A recent water leak has caused significant damage to a high-tech building at the University of Southern California (USC). The incident occurred overnight, affecting all seven floors of Ginsburg Hall, which is home to advanced labs and equipment for computer science research.
The leak originated from the attic of the building on Wednesday, according to the university’s facilities planning and management department. While they confirmed the source of the leak, they did not provide details about the extent of the damage.
In response to the leak, the facilities team quickly turned off the water and began repairs. However, there is currently no estimated timeline for when the building will be reopened. Researchers who work in Ginsburg Hall were advised to check their equipment, but the building remains closed for repairs.
Ginsburg Hall, which opened in September, is a 116,000-square-foot facility designed by the architecture firm HOK. It was built with a budget of $130 million and is notable for housing cutting-edge technology, including labs for autonomous aerial vehicles and robotics. The building is also the first at USC to achieve LEED platinum certification, the highest rating for environmentally friendly construction.
This building has become a popular spot for students, known for its soundproof study pods. The university is now focusing on assessing the damage and determining the next steps for repairs to ensure that students and researchers can return to this important resource as soon as possible.