November 20, 2007
Contacts:Suzanne Higgins suzanne.higgins@gcmail.maricopa.edu 623.845.3808
Patricia Vogel pr.vogel@gcmail.maricopa.edu 623.845.3014
GCC Celebrates the Topping-Out of the New Life Science Building, Nov. 29
Glendale Community College, DPR Construction, and GouldEvans architects will celebrate the topping-out of the new GCC Life Sciences Building Thu., Nov. 29, at 2 p.m. The ceremony is a long-standing tradition in the construction industry that celebrates the placement of the highest beam for the structure. The workers and participants sign the beam and attach a small evergreen which signifies, among other things, the well wishes for the future inhabitants of the building. In modern times an American flag is often hung from the beam, which is then set in place.
The construction site is located on the north edge of the GCC campus, located at 6000 W. Olive Ave. in Glendale. Recommended parking is in the north lots.
The new Life Science Building will house three of the college's instructional departments; biology, psychology, and nursing. Designed to support the growing demand for integrated, interdisciplinary programs, this facility affords unlimited opportunities to go beyond traditional instructional boundaries. Extra curricular activities are also addressed through the integration of student gathering spaces and the Life Science Cafe.
The 63,000 square-foot building building is targeted to be ready for classes in January 2009. It will be GCC's first three-story structure. It will contain classroom space for 300 students, 72 faculty offices, nine Biology labs, a vivarium (animal lab), four Nursing Observation Pods, a large amphitheater, meeting rooms, a working greenhouse and a small café. Water-efficient landscaping is planned and the building comprises many "green" components.
