Aging Campus Infrastructure: The Quiet Risk

Many higher education campuses are operating on infrastructure installed 15–25 years ago.
The visible renovation might focus on finishes and aesthetics, but behind the walls, telecom rooms, cabling pathways, and power loads often haven’t kept pace with modern demands.
Common issues we encounter:
• Undersized telecom rooms
• Limited pathway capacity
• Inadequate cooling for active equipment
• Security systems that don’t integrate campus-wide
• Acoustic challenges in renovated lecture halls
Strategic infrastructure upgrades during renovations can prevent future disruptions and costly retrofits.
Modern campuses require resilient, scalable backbone systems, not just updated for aesthetics.

Technology Shouldn’t Be an Afterthought

We often see projects where telecom, AV, security, or acoustics are introduced late in design. This results in ceiling conflicts, undersized rooms, additional conduit runs, or costly field changes.
Early engagement allows us to:
✔️ Coordinate with architecture before layouts are finalized
✔️ Align with stakeholders early
✔️ Reduce change orders during construction
✔️ Protect schedule and budget
✔️ Deliver systems that truly support the end user
Technology should be woven into the fabric of the architecture, not look like an afterthought.

🎶 Good Acoustics Go Unnoticed 🎶

When acoustics are designed well, no one notices.
Clear speech, controlled reverberation, and balanced sound don’t happen by accident; it is the result of intentional acoustic and systems design. Acoustics plays a critical role in spaces like classrooms, performance venues, and meeting environments. With proper acoustics in these spaces, you have clarity, comfort, and usability.
Collaboration with architects and owners is essential to ensure acoustics support both design intent and real-world use. At CTDG, we integrate acoustic design with audiovisual and systems planning to support how people actually experience a space, long after construction is complete.
Thoughtful acoustic design supports clarity, comfort, and usability in spaces where sound matters most!

The Obama Foundation

📍 Earlier this Month, the Obama Presidential Center welcomed an exciting and meaningful moment on the South Side of Chicago; an interview with Jennifer Hudson held in the Athletic Center space known as Home Court at the Obama Presidential Center campus. It was a wonderful occasion that brought energy, inspiration, and attention to this transformative new civic hub.
While Convergent was not involved in the interview itself, we are honored to be part of the team working with Moody Nolan on the Obama Foundation – Program, Athletic, and Activity Center, one of the signature spaces on the 19.3-acre campus.
This facility, designed to support community health, wellness, connection, and activity, will feature a regulation-size basketball court, flexible programming spaces, and opportunities for recreation and engagement upon its opening in June 2026.
Moments like the Jennifer Hudson conversation are a great reminder of the role this project will play as a vibrant gathering place, one where ideas, inspiration, and community come together. We’re proud to contribute to a project that uplifts people and places through thoughtful design and collaborative partnership.

🚨 Project Spotlight! 🚨

We’re thrilled to shine a light on our work at Penn State University’s Nursing Sciences Building. Originally built in 1979, this facility has been transformed into a modern, inspiring environment that supports the next generation of nurses, educators, and researchers.

 

As part of the incredible team led by SLAM, Convergent Technologies Design Group, Inc. (CTDG) provided integrated design services, including:
🔌 Telecommunications Cabling Systems
🎥 Audiovisual Systems
🔐 Access Control & Video Surveillance
🎶Acoustics, Noise & Vibration Control

 

We’re proud to have helped create a space that fosters learning, connection, and innovation; a true reflection of Penn State’s commitment to excellence and care.

Huge congratulations to everyone involved in bringing this transformative project to life! Want to know how Convergent can help bring your next project to life? Please feel free to reach out to learn more about our services!

CTDG Annual Holiday Party 2026

What a great way to start out the New Year! Our annual CTDG holiday party was a chance to step away from projects, connect as a team, and celebrate the hard work that made last year such a success.

We are grateful to close out the year with now having over 1400 projects in our portfolio and for the people, partnerships, and projects that continue to move CTDG forward.

 

Here’s to a strong finish to last year and to an even stronger 2026.

Project Spotlight!

Convergent Technologies Design Group (CTDG) is proud to have been a part of George Mason University’s new “Fuse at Mason Square”, a groundbreaking hub for digital innovation and collaboration in Fairfax, VA.
The 345,000 GSF, $250M facility will bring together university research and development programs, corporate innovation labs, incubators, accelerators, and co-working spaces all within a vibrant, tech-forward environment designed to foster creativity and connection.
CTDG had been selected to provide audiovisual systems design services for a range of dynamic spaces, including:

🎓 Active Learning Classrooms
💻 Conference Rooms & Team Collaboration Areas
🔬 Classroom & Visualization Labs
🎥 Media Production Labs and more
Designed by SM+P Architects, Fuse at Mason Square incorporates smart and green building technologies and advanced cyber infrastructure to support the next generation of innovators. The project was completed in April 2025.

 

 

BBJQ-Subs-Only-Award

Huge Congratulations to Ajinkya Patil CTS-I,CTS-D, our Design Lead in our NYC office, for being recognized for the BBJQ-Subs-Only-Award, and the Convergent Design Technologies Group team, who made this win possible. Ajinkya and the CTDG team have had the pleasure of working on the borough-based jails in both Queens and the Bronx. Ajinkya has led the CTDG team for the Queens-based jail. Congratulations, Ajinkya, and to our team of fantastic designers who supported him and made this a reality!

 

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Outstanding Design Award!

Our project. Howard Community College, Howard Hall and the Academic Commons, with Marshall Craft Associates has been awarded for its Outstanding Design in the American School & University November/December 2021 edition.

The client for this project was Howard Community College (HCC) and construction was completed in July 2019. The total cost for this project was $36,371,290 and it was 107,200 sq. ft.

This project restored two of HCC’s oldest buildings and they are now able to serve the HCC community for decades to come.

Convergent Technologies provided Telecommunications Cabling Systems with Infrastructure, Audiovisual Systems with Infrastructure, Access Control/Video Surveillance Systems with Infrastructure and Acoustics, Noise & Vibration Control Design Services for this project.

More information at this link: https://lnkd.in/dcfsgk8q

 

Outdoor Audiovisual System Solutions at Eastern Carolina University

Convergent Technologies Design Group has completed the design of an outdoor sound system in the open quad area of the new Eastern Carolina University Student Union campus.

The new, 214,000 square foot Student Union is the largest construction project on the main campus since the Science and Technology Building opened in 2001. It will house the Dowdy Student Store, five dining options, student government and trustee office spaces, meeting rooms, a theater and a large ballroom. The facility also features a five level, 724 space parking deck and a new 6,500 square foot regional energy plant.

At the center of the new campus is a large outdoor quadrangle with a 42-foot wide all-weather video screen. Bill Holaday, Principal of Convergent Technologies Design Group, explained, “We were part of the architectural team that designed the entire building, including all of the interior and exterior audiovisual systems.

Read the full article HERE!