Kessler Campanile

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The Kessler Campanile illuminated at night.

The Kessler Campanile is an 80-foot tall campanile located at the Georgia Institute of Technology.^[1] Designed by artist Richard Hill,^[2] it was originally constructed for the 1996 Olympic Games.^[3] It is named after Richard Kessler, Tech graduate and former head of Days Inns. It is frequently referred to as "The Campanile" or "The Shaft" (a sometimes tongue-in-cheek reference to student opinion on the school's pedagogical methodology).

The Kessler Campanile is located near the center of Georgia Tech's campus, in front if its student center and directly down a broad walkway from the recently-styled "Hill District," the campus' historical center. The campanile is surrounded by a 300-seat amphitheater, a gathering place for the Georgia Tech community. It is visible from many areas of central campus.

The eighty foot tall^[4] campanile has the rough appearance of a twisted obelisk, tapering towards the top and capped with a pyramidal piece. It is constructed of 244 stainless steel plates, with each rotated slightly to produce the swirling pattern as height increases.^[5] The distinctive peaks intentionally recall the design of Tech Tower, the school's traditional symbol and oldest building. Following its completion, the structure's peak design was incorporated into the university's branding as a new symbol for the school.

The campanile is able to play several songs, including Ramblin' Wreck from Georgia Tech, the university's fight song through specially designed speakers that reproduce the carillon "chime" sound of bells.^[6] After its erection the campanile regularly played music, but it was later silenced in response to student feedback.^{[citation needed]} At times, it has played the Westminster Quarters to mark the passing of time.