The five-story, 220,000 sq ft (20,000 m2) building houses classrooms, science laboratories, academic services, and common areas and is managed by and connected to the Georgia Tech Library.

Over the next decade of his presidency, it became Georgia Tech's highest capital priority due to rapid student body growth.

[6][7] As part of the private funding component, an anonymous donor matched dollar-for-dollar all gifts and commitments for the Clough Commons up to a maximum of $8.75 million.

[2] Facility programming for the Clough Commons was completed by Perry Dean Rogers Architects and Houser Walker Architecture.

[6] The formal groundbreaking took place on April 5, 2010, with Clough, Institute President G. P. "Bud" Peterson and University System of Georgia Chancellor Erroll B. Davis present.

[4] Tutoring services, undergraduate writing assistance, academic advising and the Office of Information Technology are all located in the Clough Commons.

[4] Additional features include a Kaldi's Coffee outlet on the second floor, art exhibit space and an 18,000-square-foot (1,700 m2) rooftop garden with native plants and benches.

Using filters and ventilation systems the Clough Commons reduces the amount of carbon dioxide present inside the building, thus creating a healthier indoor environment for users.

The measurement and verification program also includes people counters at each perimeter entrance to the building, providing real-time occupancy.