Raise High the Roof Beam on the Millennium Science Complex

beam signing

With the help of a large crane, the final steel beam for the cantilevered roof of the Millennium Science Complex(MSC) was raised into place on Tuesday, April 6, marking the next phase in construction of the Rafael Viñ-designed interdisciplinary science center at the heart of Penn State's University Park campus. Prior to the beam's liftoff, building architects, engineers and steelworkers joined representatives of Penn State's research community in a beam signing ceremony.

beam raising

The beam was then guided into place by workers perched high on the signature 150-foot cantilever that connects the Life Sciences wing and the Materials Research wing of the MSC over what will become a sunlit landscaped plaza below. Setting the beam in place at the juncture of the two buildings symbolizes convergence of these two disciplines in a space specifically designed for the purpose of cross-pollinating materials and life sciences research to solve critical problems together.

The next phase in construction entails enclosing the building envelope to protect the four levels of lab, office and meeting space from the elements so that interior work can begin. When completed in early summer 2011, the 275,600-square-foot building will offer green roofs to control rainwater runoff and enhance energy efficiency, and is expected to achieve LEED certification. LEED certification provides independent, third-party verification that a building project meets the highest green building and performance measures.

signed

The Millennium Science Complex will house the Materials Research Institute and the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, and will provide researchers with16,000 square feet of cleanroom space for nano-and microfabrication. Characterization tools will occupy 20,000 square feet of high quality isolated quiet space, including unique high resolution electron microscopy and biophotonics facilities that will bring life science and materials science researchers shoulder to shoulder. With the beam in place, the building of a 21st century science complex for true interdisciplinary research is well underway.