Event commemorates some of the final steel
beams being placed in the iconic diagrid roof
structure
HERE are pictures of this historic milestone.
Click HERE to learn more about the Samuel Oschin Air and Space
Center.
Click HERE for the complete press kit.
LOS
ANGELES, Oct. 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The
California Science Center reached a major milestone in construction
of the future Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center today with a
ceremonial topping out celebration. Some of the final steel beams
were hoisted into position in the complex diagrid atop the
200,000-square-foot Science Center expansion. Made up of a
framework of diagonally intersecting beams, the Air and Space
Center's diagrid is self-supporting, eliminating the need for
columns and allowing for a dramatic, unobstructed future view of
space shuttle Endeavour in the building's 20-story Samuel
Oschin Shuttle Gallery.
A tradition in major construction projects and infrastructure
works, the topping out ceremony commemorates the tremendous efforts
of construction professionals and the entire team at the California
Science Center. Construction work on the Samuel Oschin Air and
Space Center building is scheduled to be completed in
mid-2025. Following artifact and exhibit installation, the Air
and Space Center will be ready to open in a few years.
"The California Science Center is fortunate to have a remarkable
team that has helped us achieve this historic milestone. We
thank and commend our dedicated staff and our incredible partners:
MATT Construction; ZGF, our architects; Arup, our building
engineers; and Plas-Tal Manufacturing, our steel fabricator; whose
years of careful planning and expertise have made every stage
of this complex and unprecedented operation a possibility," shared
Jeffrey Rudolph, the President and
CEO of the California Science Center. "Together, we've worked to
create an iconic new landmark in Los
Angeles that will inspire future generations of scientists,
engineers, and explorers."
Prior to the ceremony, California Science Center Trustees and
staff, and project partners including Steve
Matt, Chairman and CEO of MATT Construction; Sean Brunton, President of Plas-Tal; and
Amie Nulman, Structural Engineer and
Principal with Arup; joined lead donor Mrs. Lynda Oschin and California Science Center
President and CEO Jeffrey Rudolph,
to sign a beam before it was lifted into place by crane. The
milestone event began with opening remarks from Jeffrey Rudolph. Commemorative remarks were also
made by Los Angeles City Councilmember Curren D. Price Jr.
(District 9), and Mrs. Lynda Oschin,
who concluded the program by signaling the crane to lift the beam
into place. The beam was adorned with an American flag and an
evergreen tree, symbolizing good luck and continued safe
construction and operations. It also bears the signatures of
hundreds of partners, donors, employees, volunteers, and
stakeholders contributing to developing the new expansion.
"This is another major step toward making the vision for the
Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center a reality," noted Lynda Oschin, of the Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Oschin
Family Foundation. "Space shuttle Endeavour exemplifies so
many of the passions of my husband, Samuel
Oschin – especially astronomy, exploration, and helping
children to achieve their dreams. This major expansion of the
Science Center will honor his legacy by inspiring generations of
children to pursue lives of adventure, innovation, and discovery;
and to explore careers in science, math, and engineering."
The generosity of numerous foundations, individuals and
corporate donors has enabled the California Science Center
Foundation to reach this significant milestone. The Science Center
is grateful for the unparalleled support of our lead donors, the
Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Oschin Family Foundation and the State of California, joined by principal
donors Korean Air and the Kresa Family Foundation, for their
substantial investments in this incredible educational and civic
project.
Earlier this year the entire authentic Space Shuttle stack was
lifted into its "ready-to-launch" vertical configuration at 180
feet fall, consisting of the flown orbiter, Endeavour, mated to
real solid rocket boosters and ET-94, the last
remaining flight-qualified external tank, and placed inside
the future Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center. The Air and Space
Center will nearly double the California Science Center's
educational exhibition space, adding an impressive collection of
100 authentic artifacts integrated with 100 new hands-on exhibits.
It will allow guests of all ages to investigate scientific and
engineering principles of atmospheric flight and the exploration of
the universe in three major galleries—Samuel Oschin Shuttle
Gallery, Korean Air Aviation Gallery, and Kent Kresa Space Gallery. The new Samuel Oschin
Air and Space Center will be open to the public general
admission-free.
For more information, visit
californiasciencecenter.org/future
About the EndeavourLA Campaign
A project of this scope and scale requires the visionary
leadership of the philanthropic community, and the support of the
broader public. EndeavourLA is the California Science Center
Foundation's fundraising campaign that enabled the acquisition and
previous temporary display of space shuttle Endeavour and supports
our plans to build the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center and
sustain ongoing exhibits, programs, and operations. The project's
lead donors are the Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Oschin Family Foundation
and the State of California;
joined by principal donors Korean Air and the Kresa Family
Foundation; as well as The Ahmanson Foundation, Thomas and Dorothy
Leavey Foundation, Melanie and Richard Lundquist, The Otis
Booth Foundation, Ibrahim El-Hefni Technical Training Foundation,
and Weingart Foundation; along with numerous individuals,
foundations, and corporate supporters.
The California Science Center Foundation is actively fundraising to
complete this ambitious project with nearly $370 million raised toward the $425 million total project budget. Everyone can
help realize this exciting vision for the future Samuel Oschin
Air and Space Center, and donations at any level are welcomed. To
contribute or learn more, go to EndeavourLA.org.
About the California Science Center
The California Science Center is a dynamic destination where
families, adults, and children can explore the wonders of science
through hands-on exhibits, live demonstrations, innovative
programs, and large-format movies. Our mission is to stimulate
curiosity and inspire science learning in everyone by creating fun,
memorable experiences, because we value science as an indispensable
tool for understanding our world, accessibility and inclusiveness,
and enriching people's lives.
The California Science Center and IMAX Theater are located in
historic Exposition Park just west of the Harbor (110) Freeway at
700 Exposition Park Drive. The Science Center is open daily from
10:00 am to 5:00 pm. General
admission is free. Please check the Science Center website for
updates at CaliforniaScienceCenter.org.
Media Contacts:
Kristina Kurasz Cutting│California Science Center
kkurasz@californiasciencecenter.org │ (213) 744 7446
Sophie Jefferies│California Science Center
sjefferies@californiasciencecenter.org │ (213) 744 7491
Gwendolyn Young│Young Communications
gyoung@youngcomms.com │ (213) 948 5662
Kevin Smothers │Young
Communications
ksmothers@youngcomms.com │ (512) 466 4041
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SOURCE California Science Center Foundation