Constructing a four-story building is a story in itself.
Here's a perspective from just a few feet away
Expanding into the Future
Here at the Biotech Center, we're building the future every day.
And our future building is getting closer to completion every day.
It's been amazing to watch day after day as our old asphalt parking lot transformed into
the beautiful cylindrical structure.
Now that we can see teasing glimpses of the glass walkway linking the old to the new, we're all waiting, quite impatiently I might add, to fill up that new building with people and ideas.
Biotech in North Carolina has a rich past, with the foresight of Governor Hunt and the General Assembly in the early 1980s. The Biotechnology Center has built on the promise it made then, supporting the growth of our industry to 57,000 employees at 530 companies.
We saw the promise of biotech fulfilled, as in 2009 we added jobs in an economy that rapidly shed them.
We see even greater promise ahead, particularly in our Agricultural Biotech Initiative. We're working with farmers, university researchers and companies to add $30 billion in ag-related revenues to the state's $70 billion ag economy.
So for us, that new building represents growth - not just for our staff, but for the industry too. We'll have more programs that help spur new companies with grants and loans, improved capabilities to aid in workforce training, funding for research, and enhanced educational programs for teachers.
When we open the doors on the James B. Hunt, Jr. Leadership Annex, we'll be opening the doors to North Carolina's future and more clean, high-paying jobs for the state.
First Glimpse of New Building
As the Biotech Center closes early today, we're getting a first look at the glass connector between our old and new buildings.
Work has begun on matching the woodwork through out the Center's RTP office. Construction equipment has begun to move off-site and landscaping has begun. Next is furniture and signage and a few other "minor" details.
Stay tuned for information about our opening.
Building - March 2, 9:15 a.m.
This is what I saw when I was walking into the building this morning. Except instead of one box dangling from the crane - there were three!
The top floor of the new building is visible here above the curve of our auditorium and board of directors room. The whole building is now sheathed in the distinctive yellow wrap.
We think the boxes being lifted into the building are part of the ventilation system. This one went in through a window on the third floor.
It seems like just yesterday that SKANSKA was beating the ground, clearing away rock for the steel footings. And now we're planning a dedication ceremony.
Time sure does fly.
Building: Feb. 15, 9:14 am
The walls (studs?) are going in.
Building: Jan. 25, 8:45 am
The new building has a moat this morning. It's pretty impressive that the building is on schedule despite the rain issues.
See previous rain photos here and here.
Building: Jan. 22, 10:07 am
Cranes have been delivering HVAC supplies to the roof of the new building. Another thing to note is the plastic wrap around the 1st floor.
Building: January 15
Once the steel was in place, it was only a matter of time before the floors were filled in.
This view is from our Ciba-Geigy Garden, where many of you have enjoyed a reception or pleasant conversation away from the main meeting.
Although daylight hours are increasing, if you come to work early or leave late, you can see the building from Alexander Drive. The lighting helps make it stand out. We'll get a picture of that posted soon.
In the meantime, check out our Facebook page for more pictures from a different view.
Genetically Improved Loblolly Tops Biotech Center Addition
It's not the tallest, but it may be the highest outdoor pine tree in the Research Triangle area this holiday season--and highly symbolic to boot.
The tree is a five-foot loblolly pine grown by North Carolina State University specialists as part of a massive genetic improvement project.
This research tree was an ideal specimen to hoist the four stories into the sky and fasten to a steel beam in a traditional "topping out" ceremony for a $10.4 million addition to the North Carolina Biotechnology Center building.
Biotechnology is the use of living cells and their molecules to solve problems and make useful products. And the loblolly pines being grown and tested at N.C. State incorporate technologies that can help scientists detect and select specimens with beneficial genetic characteristics such as disease resistance.
An ironworker from Roanoke Valley Steel, the Halifax County company that supplied the beams for the project, fastened the tree to the structure. Typical of such events, the tree is likely to remain in place for several weeks until roofers remove it.
The general contractor, Skanska, expects to employ as many as 200 people on the 20,000-square-foot addition, to be completed in the fall of 2010.
View a real-time video of the construction
Building: Dec. 17, 2:20 pm
A view from the library: This picture shows the 2nd, 3rd and 4th floors ... and they're putting in the steel beams for the roof.
Building: Dec. 9, 10:50 am
Right outside the library window ...
Building: Dec. 9, 10:18 am
Third floor steel installation ...
Building: Dec. 8, 10:00 am
More pictures of the second floor beams getting bolted in ...
Building: Dec. 8, 9:20 am
Looks like the second floor is going in ...
Building: Dec. 7, 2:17 pm
Less than an hour later and they have seven of the steel beams up.
Building: Dec. 7, 1:22 pm
The first piece of steel is up and bolted in. Will be fascinating to see how fast it moves along now.
Building: Dec. 7, 10:16 am
The steel is being delivered.
Building: Nov. 30, 11:25 am
Now that the foundation has been placed, the building's footprint is obvious.
Workers Thankful for Timing of Biotech Center Addition
Gratitude.
That's what the workers are saying they feel for their jobs, building the North Carolina Biotechnology Center's 20,000-square-foot addition.
"To a person, these folks say they're thankful to have this job," said Chris Krueger, project construction manager.
The addition should employ at least 200 people by the time it's completed next fall.
"The Biotechnology Center's mission for the past 25 years has been creating jobs in the biotech sector statewide," said Norris Tolson, the Center's president and CEO.
"But in this case, we're also delighted that we're able to help provide paychecks to these excellent North Carolina construction workers during this weak economy and continued downturn in building nationwide. It's especially meaningful this time of year."
Wrecking Rock, Pouring Concrete
Wednesday, for example, brought 22 people placing, spreading and screeding concrete for the foundation of the 20,000-square-foot, four-story building addition. There were also three electricians and a plumber. And several demolition workers also stayed busy breaking through rock that has gotten in the way of parking lot and building construction.
"So far we haven't seen the full complement of workers on the site," said Krueger, "and we probably won't until about January, after the steel goes up. But from January through June or so, we'll have days where easily 100 people will be working on this addition at one time.
"And close to April it'll probably be more, as crews install the terra cotta skin on the outside of the building while all the other trades work inside -- sheetrockers, plumbers, electricians, carpenters, the whole group."
And the work is not all going to men. Though most of the workers are men, the project manager and the project eingineer for the general contractor, Skanska, are women.
"I just heard some of the concrete guys say they're starting to wonder already what they'll have next when the foundation is finished on this project," said Krueger. "It reinforced how grateful they are to have had this work during this rough time."
Building: Nov. 19, 10:40 am
Not just dirt-moving anymore ... things are moving along now. Half the foundation has been completed.
Building: Nov. 18, 2:14 pm
Lots of concrete is being mixed and placed today. I don't know the difference between footings and a foundation, but I think that's what they're doing.
Building: Nov. 16, 9:37 am
Farewell to the hydraulic rock breaker! We sure hope he doesn't have to come back.
Building: Nov. 16, 9:13 am
The sun is out and there's lots of dirt-moving activity this morning. It's actually wonderful to see and hear after last week's rain.
Building: Nov 13, 8:04 am
It still looks too wet to work, but the "pond" is being drained and ... is that blue sky?
Building: Nov. 12, 11:14 am
The rain has stopped, for now, and the water appears to be draining.
Building: Nov. 12, 7:55 am
Wow! Look at what the rain did to the construction site:
Building: Nov. 10, 12:53 pm
It appears that our generator was accidentally shut off while it was being refueled this morning. Hate the lost time, but perhaps we had productive face-to-face time!
I'm told that the generator is the beige trailer on the left -- beside the red oil truck:
Building: Nov. 10, 9:55 am
The jackhammer started again. Luckily, they're far enough away from the building so it's not shaking us today.
Change is coming
Take a look at the change in view from one of our library offices:
In mid-July
In late September:
