The Progression of the Hall of Science

CSULB has been tracking the progression of the Hall of Science construction through the use of daily and weekly time lapse videos since July of 2008.

The archive of official time lapse videos can be viewed here. The site will continue to update with videos showcasing the growth of the building until its completion in May 2011.

In addition, I personally utilized the online camera, stationed on the roof of the neighboring Peterson Hall of Science 2, to make a time lapse video that chronicles construction from Oct. 22, 2009 to Nov. 30, 2009.

Numerous Developments Campuswide

CSULB has been tracking various improvements across campus, from entirely new buildings being placed, like the Student Recreation and Wellness Center, to a simple renovation of the staircase in the library.

A detailed construction map, that can be accessed here, locates where such construction projects are occurring and who is funding them. Primarily department funded projects, each task has importance, including minuscule reworkings like replacing doors on the USU.

Here is a quick rundown of what is either still in the works, or recently been completed:

Comparing the SRWC to Fullerton's Recently Added Rec Center

The CSU system is undergoing what some may refer to as a boom in construction projects. In fact, just last year, California State University, Fullerton completed work on a new Student Recreation Center similar to that which is currently being built on CSULB's campus.

According to Fullerton's original audit report, "The Student Recreation Center is a two-story, 95,000 gross square foot facility, containing a three-court basketball gymnasium, with features for volleyball, badminton and various other sports, and an elevated running track. The facility also includes a two-story lobby with a climbing wall, two racquetball courts,three multipurpose rooms for group exercise activities, a spinning room, cardio room and theater, weight room, locker rooms with shower facilities, administrative offices, and an outdoor lap/recreation pool and lounging deck."

Cal State Long Beach provides a briefer description, but runs along the same lines when it states, "The Student Recreation & Wellness Center (SRWC) will be a 125,000 square feet facility with fitness programs, aerobic classes, rock climbing walls and 8 basketball, volleyball and badminton courts total."

With 30,000 more square feet, CSULB seemingly holds the upper hand in area consumption. However, since Fullerton's Rec Center has already opened its doors, unique features have been unveiled, like a "Spin Room" designed for spinning bike classes. For more information on Fullerton's completed Rec Center, go here.

Comparing blueprints, favoritism can be deduced on a personal preference basis:


[Above photo courtesy of Cal State Fullerton official website]

Behind Green Tarps

At nearly 10,600-square-feet, the addition to the Nursing Building cannot go unnoticed by passers-by, going so far as to redirect pedestrian traffic to the opposite sidewalk.

The $4.3 million project has been running smoothly since its groundbreaking ceremony two weeks ago, as reported on this blog. The addition has been groundbreaking indeed, since there has not been an upgrade to the nursing building since 1975.

CSULB created an official press release that explained the specific structure of the new building by stating it will "call for a steel brace frame with steel decking and metal studs. The exterior of the addition will be a combination of thin brick, aluminum storefront and glass windows and stucco plaster, matching the existing nursing building. Sustainable features will include natural daylighting, materials with high recycled content, waterless urinals, low-flow plumbing fixtures and higher rated insulation."

For a physical look at what is going on behind those green tarps, view pictures here:

A Photographic Update on Construction of the SRWC

With a simple trip down Palo Verde Avenue, it can easily be concluded that a large building is being erected near Lot 11 on east campus.

As this blog has detailed in the past, the Student Recreation and Wellness Center is following a strict construction schedule. To understand what has been accomplished so far, view the following slideshow, which is composed of recent pictures taken on site, and provided by CSULB's official website.

[View hard gallery here]

Breaking Ground on the Nursing Addition

A groundbreaking ceremony took place last Wednesday, Oct. 28, in honor of the start of construction on the addition to the current nursing building located on west campus.

Although now just a mound of dirt in the former Lot 2, near the Soroptomist House, the building is taking the first step toward what is projected to be a 10-month construction process. CSULB hopes to officially open its doors by August of 2010.

Prospects are in the air as talk continues to grow in regards to the advancement of education for the nursing department. Last month, the Daily 49er reported a lack of space for nursing students, stating that "the department currently has about more than 1,000 students and two classrooms that can seat only 30 students each."

Moreover, as many jobs face great decline in employment due to the current economic crisis, health and human services have yet to experience such troubles. U.S. News reported that registered nurses and physician assistants are among the top 30 best careers for 2009, claiming they have "staying power" thanks to their perpetual demand. With recognition of such facts, the addition may prove its utility for future students.

Hall of Science Reaches New Stage of Construction

The Hall of Science has finished placing structural steel and is currently in the process of building the exterior and beginning sitework and landscaping for the building.

According to a project schedule provided by CSULB, these stages of work will not be finished until January of next year. In the meantime, passersby may notice the uprising of brick walls which will eventually surround the final product, as noted in predictive pictures like the one seen here. In addition, the on-site camera accentuates permanent staircases that currently provide use for construction workers.

To follow exactly what those workers are doing, the following is directly how the official website explains the building's progress:

• July-October 2009 — Structural Steel
• October 2009 - January 2010 — Build-out of building exterior
• October 2009 - January 2010 — Sitework, Landscaping
• November 2010 - May 2011 — Systems commissioning, complete punch-lists, start-up of equipment
• January - October 2010 — Interior build-out and finishes
• May 2011 — Completion

See the following photos to document the building's current state and note that it coincides with the above schedule:



[Photo courtesy of CSULB]

Up Close and Personal With the SRWC

The Student Recreation and Wellness Center has been creating quite a stir among students on campus lately with the accompaniment of numerous resources explaining and hyping what the final product will entail.

According to CSULB's website, the facility will offer students:

• A large area for new weight lifting and cardio equipment
• 5 total basketball, volleyball, and badminton courts
• 3 multi-purpose dance/group fitness rooms for student group use
• 2 racquetball courts
• Indoor jogging track
• Rock climbing wall
• Juice bar and lounge
• Outdoor recreation swimming pool

Students who plan to be enrolled at the time of the SRWC's opening next fall have expressed support due to a belief in the betterment of campus life. "It's just a good opportunity for people who have time in between breaks and want to have an alternative to sitting around, not doing anything. They can hop in, change, work out, play some basketball, or just get acquainted with students," said Ramon Castillo, junior CSULB student.

For those who still seem unsure of the center's utility, the Associated Students, Inc. provides the necessary information about the project on a more massive scale. Blueprints are available here and here to provide a general framework idea of each of the rec center's levels. In addition, time lapse videos are made available as the construction progresses. Here, I have made my own interpretation of the videos provided:

[Original video footage courtesy of CSULB]

For a lengthy yet imaginative, walk-through view of exactly what the center will look like, watch this YouTube video.
[Above picture also courtesy of CSULB]

Small Projects Should Be Completed Soon

Long term projects and brand new structures are exciting, but sometimes a seemingly simple upgrade to an already existing building can make all the difference.

The Engineering & Computer Science building has recently begun a project that will replace broken window glazing panels and waterproof the entire exterior in order to prevent rain water intrusion. In the past, engineering students experienced trouble with gaps in the panels that allowed water leakage to occur. Now, with winter approaching, workers hope to complete construction within the next few months.

The Social Sciences/Public Administration building is also experiencing its share of construction work, but this time in hopes of keeping up with advancing technology. By the end of the month, there will be a new state of the art Video Teleconferencing Computer Laboratory that "includes new computer furniture, black out curtains, and video cameras and flat screens throughout the room," according to CSULB's website.

For further information, there is an interactive map at this location that enables the public to see what new developments are occurring in each area of construction by grazing over spots on a CSULB map and following links to subsequent pages.

[Photo courtesy of CSULB]

Addition to the Nursing Building Under Way

A nearly $5.5 million addition to the existing nursing building will begin construction this Thursday.

"The project consists of 10,581 gross square feet, providing teaching labs, a computer lab, faculty offices, administrative, and support spaces for the School of Nursing," said Mary Stephens, vice president of administration and finance

There are not enough nursing instructors, training facilities, or willing hospitals to train the thousands of new nurses according to Lucy Huckabay, director of the CSULB Nursing Program. The nursing program on campus is of such high interest that the university's bachelor of science in nursing program receives about 350 applicants for the 90 slots available.

However, CSULB hopes the addition will provide some assistance when it is completed in the summer of 2010, thanks to the funding specifically given for this project from a CSU General Obligation Bond and non-state funds from the School of Nursing in the College of Health and Human Services.

Construction on the building will occur in Parking Lot 2, but Parking Lot 1 will also be affected. For the duration of this project, 37 parking spaces will be taken away as students are advised to seek alternate parking in Parking Lot 18.

[Photo courtesy of CSULB]

Budget Crisis is Merely a Roadblock in the Rear View

The construction of the Hall of Science is moving along schedule after a setback in May of this year, caused by none other than the state budget crisis.

The delay on production lasted three months, but has since picked up with speed, committing to the May 2011 opening date.

Since the state could not provide the funding any longer, CSULB made the decision to continue work on the project by asking for help from the students. As a whole, the construction project costs $2 million a month. However, students begin paying $120 a month starting in the fall of next year.

In situations like this, one can only be left to hope that those dollars are being put to good use. With structural steel in clear view (see picture), students can rest assured as determined workers build in the blazing sun toward the ultimate goal of a new educational workplace.

Rec Center on the Rise

They hear the buzzing of machines, the roar of the wrecking ball and yet, still, most students seem to be unclear of exactly what will be constructed in parking lot 11.

According to CSULB's official website, the Student Recreation and Wellness Center will be "a 125,000 square feet facility with fitness programs, aerobic classes, rock climbing walls and 8 basketball, volleyball and badminton courts total."

In a poll taken by 23 percent of the student body in the fall of 2005, 54 percent of said students voted in support of creating the SRWC. Of course, this would come at the expense of an added $110 per semester, which will be implemented once the facility is actually open.

The construction updates seem to be on par with an expected 2010 fall semester opening. Workers broke ground on the rec center at the beginning of the year and the latest citation on August 24 marked the completion of structural steel and slab on grade, as well as the start of fire proofing on the first floor.

[Photo courtesy of CSULB]

Big Brother Is Watching Construction Workers

Construction workers at the Hall of Science building are always being watched.

A movable video camera has been mounted on the top of the Peterson Hall of Science 2 building so that the public can watch the reconstruction progress of the new Hall of Science. After logging in to this site, users can control the viewpoint of the camera, zoom in and out, and focus the image quality.

The camera is password-protected. Here is the information:

• User: guest
• Password: csulb

According to the project schedule, structural steel is currently being put in place and, with the help of this bird's eye view, the process can be seen firsthand.

All of this work is leading up to the 2011 opening, which will offer a new home primarily to the Departments of Geological Sciences, Physics and Astronomy, and Science Education, but also to certain portions of Biological Sciences and Chemistry and Biochemistry.