LOS ANGELES, CA — The California Science Center reached a major milestone in construction of the future Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center 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 an 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 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," said Jeffrey Rudolph, the President and CEO of the California Science Center. "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. 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 Lynda Oschin and Rudolph to sign a beam before it was lifted into place by crane. The milestone event began with opening remarks from Rudolph. Commemorative remarks were also made by Los Angeles City Councilmember Curren D. Price Jr. and 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," said 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."
