Collaborative Research Center hits a milestone

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– March 28, 2008Posted in: Current News

Collaborative Research Center hits a milestone



PHOTOS BY JEFF FITLOW

 Pillars of academia, research and health care gathered Friday among pillars of concrete at the Collaborative Research Center (CRC) to mark a milestone in the building’s construction: The 10-story research facility at the corner of Main Street and University Boulevard has reached its maximum height.

The some 200 people who attended the “topping out” ceremony applauded as they watched a live oak tree — rather than a cut tree typically used in this traditional ceremony in the field of construction — was placed on the top story of the CRC. The oak, which will be replanted on the CRC grounds, represents 45 new trees that will also be planted toward the end of construction.

The CRC was designed to facilitate joint research between Rice’s experts in the biological sciences, engineering, computation, and the physical and mathematical sciences and Texas Medical Center medical physicians and scientists. Among the special guests who attended the ceremony were State Rep. Ellen Cohen, D-Houston; U.S. Rep. John Culberson, R-Houston; Jeff Moseley, president and CEO of the Greater Houston Partnership; Peter Traber, president and CEO of Baylor College of Medicine; James Willerson, president of the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; and John Mendelsohn, president of the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

Skidmore, Owings and Merrill is the design and executive architect of the CRC. The building is being constructed by Linbeck. FKP Architects is the local associate architect.

Look for more coverage in next week’s Rice News.

  

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