85 replies to this topic

[rockethead26]

masonry...

 

[rockethead26]

Steel...

 

[dustyc]

Multi-media buildings like this are an interesting design challenge. I'll bet the electrical plans alone are pretty impressive!  

[rimcrazy]

Very impressive Jim.  Thanks for the updates.  Very cool.  Can't wait to see it finished.

[ScottS]

Can't wait to see it, can't wait to VISIT IT !!!!! Great project, simply amazing!  and thankfully there are people in the world such as the ones who made it possible from funding/foundation (Kemper and Ethel Marley), to the visionaries and designers, architects and the labors building it etc. A huge Thanks to  everyone that's part of this amazing project, from an unknown armature astronomer in a Bortle 8-9 area of Ohio! 

[rockethead26]

Hi all,

 

I asked the moderators if there was a better place for this thread than "Observatories" and they agreed that maybe this forum was a better place for it and it would be more easily seen by a larger audience.

 

So here we are and I hope everyone who started to follow the thread over the last year will continue to do so in its new home. Also, welcome to all the new members that will find it here.

 

Jim

[Nom De Qwerty]

Hey, whatta ya know? It's starting to look like a building! 

 

Thanks for the update.  It's exciting to see it take shape. 

[rockethead26]

Today's update from project manager Dave Sawyer:

 

"The masons have completed work for now and have removed their equipment and scaffolding, which has allowed the electricians to complete their work installing the under-slab conduits. The building is now ready for floor slabs and the concrete contractor has returned and started laying gravel for the slabs. In the meantime, the steel erectors have been prepping columns/beams in the field, and have started installing and welding support beams in the elevator shaft."

 

[rockethead26]

Another update as slab work and electrical/communications infrastructure is progressing.

 

Here's the update from our project manager, Dave Sawyer with two images:

 

"Final touches are being made in the exhibit galleries in preparation for pouring concrete floor slabs. The final grade level of gravel has been spread and compacted, and the attached photo "gallery slab prep" shows the electricians installing floor boxes that will be embedded in the slab. These boxes will provide power and network under the planned exhibits." 

 

 

 

 

 

[rockethead26]

Continued...

 

"The second photo "exhibit comms" shows the exhibit communication conduits in the neighboring electronics room where the exhibit controls will be located."

 

 

[rockethead26]

Things are moving along. The concrete has been poured in all of the galleries, gift shop and cafe along with the Universe Theater. The entryways and main atrium will be done soon.

 

Interior gallery walls are starting to be built.

 

[rockethead26]

The latest rom Dave Sawyer as of 09/26:

 

Now that the floor slabs have been poured, building construction is proceeding in earnest. The masons have returned and are constructing interior block walls. The central steel tower that will support the upper levels of the facility, and defines the main hub “Origins Gallery”, has been erected and is currently being welded. Outside the building, the foundation is being waterproofed in preparation for backfilling and the west access road, which will allow access to the north side of the building without driving through campus, is being graded.

Attached Thumbnails

• 

Edited by rockethead26, 02 October 2022 - 09:55 AM.

[rockethead26]

Dave Sawyer reports:
Steel erection is progressing nicely. The central hexagon tower is complete, which now allows the different level floor and roof beams to be installed. The attached photo is a view from inside the Universe Theater showing erection of the first floor substructure that will become a storage area behind the LED screen. An 80-ton crane with a 150' boom arrived on site today and will be moved into the center of the building next week once the masons are done with the north interior walls. The large crane will then be used for much of the remaining erection, including lifting the long roof beams into place over the galleries and the universe theater in the near future.

 

[rockethead26]

Today's update from Dave Sawyer:

 

Steel erection continues to progress nicely, which is a testament to the quality of the team we have. For this to go well, the designs need to be correct, the steel fabrication needs to be correct, and the masonry work has to be correct - which it all is! The three-story east stairway is erected and first floor beams for the north circulation area and the astronomy gallery have been installed. See attached photo "ADC 10.27.22" looking into the astronomy gallery and the event hall above it. The steel erection crew will spend the next week or two welding everything in place and preparing the floors for the steel decking and concrete before moving on to the 2nd floor erection and Universe Theater ceiling. In the meantime, as can be seen in the attached photo "ADC dock", the masons are constructing the block walls in the Cafe and east service area, as well as the retaining walls along the service road at the loading dock. Waterproofing of the foundation is nearly complete (last section underway in the far right of photo) and perimeter drains will be installed next before backfilling begins.

 

 

 

 

[Dobs O Fun]

Any plans for a time capsule?

[rockethead26]

Any plans for a time capsule?

Good question, Dobs. Not that I'm aware of. I'll see if I can find out.

 

Jim

[rockethead26]

The latest on the construction:

 

Dave Sawyer reports:
    Installation of the 70-foot long Universe Theater beams is underway (see photo "UT Beams"). These 9000-lb beams are the largest on the job and will provide the structural support for the Skylight Terrace located above the Universe Theater. Second-floor beams in many of the rooms on the north side of the building are now in place and ready for the steel decking, which is needed to pour the second-floor concrete slabs. Meanwhile, the foam backfill is well underway on the north side of the building (see photo "Foam Backfill"). These geo-foam blocks are commonly used for bridge abutments - they reduce the backfill pressure significantly, which allows less massive footings and foundations, and saves cost.

 

 

 

 

[rockethead26]

A lot of steel has been installed and welded. That upper round steel deck is the support for the Dark Sky Planetarium, our outdoor amphitheater for sky shows and constellation tours. That deck is 50' above ground level. It will be an awesome place for visitors to experience the dark skies of Flagstaff, see distant formations like the San Francisco Peaks and other volcanic cones and the Painted Desert and provide unparalleled panoramic views of Flagstaff and its surrounds.

 

[rockethead26]

Any plans for a time capsule?

Working on it...

[Nom De Qwerty]

Any plans for a time capsule?

 

 

Working on it...

Then do you go to the café and open it?  

 

 

 

Happy 2023 everyone.  Good to see that this appears to be moving along nicely.  Can't wait to check it out in person.

[rockethead26]

Hi all,

 

Sorry for the long pause in this thread, but we had a heck of a winter with 163" of snow and extremely cold temps which kept the snow from melting. Nothing could happen at the ADC from mid December till the end of March. The good news is that construction started up again about three weeks ago with the floor plating being installed on the second floor steel beams and now is ready for concrete. It's 69° degrees today and a lovely spring day.

 

I will post some progress pictures when I have something to show. 

 

Jim

[yuzameh]

I found out recently, by reading about archive stuff found in the something foundation at lowell that redefined a past comet on arxiv, that there are a few more new bits and pieces to lowell than I thought, including outreach stuff.

 

It must take a lot of effort with all these sorts of things for Lowell not to generate its own light pollution!  Especially whilst keeping the public night time visitors safe.  Will it have park and ride to reduce car headlights?  Park in Texas and get a special shuttle over?

[rockethead26]

I found out recently, by reading about archive stuff found in the something foundation at lowell that redefined a past comet on arxiv, that there are a few more new bits and pieces to lowell than I thought, including outreach stuff.

 

It must take a lot of effort with all these sorts of things for Lowell not to generate its own light pollution!  Especially whilst keeping the public night time visitors safe.  Will it have park and ride to reduce car headlights?  Park in Texas and get a special shuttle over?

No park and ride yet, but the new larger parking lot will be separated from the GODO by the 40,000 sq ft structure of the ADC. I do like the Texas parking lot idea, though. We just need to develop transporters!

[rockethead26]

Great weather and work crews everywhere the last week or so.

 

Project Manager Update:

 

Dave Sawyer reports:
    Concrete is flowing again at the ADC and work continues on all levels! The east stairway has been poured and it's now possible to climb to the upper levels of the ADC - see the attached photo looking out onto the Skylight Terrace. The steel decking is underway in the Skylight Terrace as can be seen in the left side of the photo, but this work was paused this week due to the high winds. Pouring of the second floor slabs is underway (see photo "ADC second floor"), and on the first floor, the Origins Gallery and front lobby are being prepped for slabs to be poured next week (see photo "Origins Gallery").

 

Skylight Terrace: An Open/Covered deck on the 2nd Floor that will be used for receptions, parties, fund raisers, etc.

 

 

ADC Second Floor

 

[rockethead26]

Three new concrete floors poured. The front walls will start to go up in the next few days.

 

Happy May to everyone!