The New Physics and Chemistry Building

Nielsen Construction Company of Harrisonburg was awarded the contract for construction of the building.

The new Physics and Chemistry building - A3a - is now under construction!

Return to this web site to keep up to date on the status of the project.

• Here are some artist's conceptions of how the final building will appear
  • The view of the front of the building as seen from the grassy meadow on the south side of the building.
  • The view of the entire building as viewed from the meadow.
  • Here we have the scene we will see from the north side of the building, standing across Carrier Drive.
  • This is another version of the view from the north.
• Here are some photos of the progess made to date.
  • This is an early view of the site before excavation was begun.
  • Here's a shot of the excavation on October 22, 2002.
  • Several shots were taken on January 27, 2003.
    • The site seen from the south meadow.
    • Another version from the same place.
    • Here's the view from the second floor of the College Center.
    • And here's a perspective that include some of the Allegheny mountains in the distance.
  • Here are some photos showing the status on April 2, 2003.
    • There is now a big pile of dirt between the construction site and the dining hall.
    • A closer view from the same angle.
    • From this angle we see the concrete for the walls being poured. And here is another view of the same scene.
    • From this vantage, we see a large crane and the pipe used to transport the concrete from the truck to the wall.
    • This is pouring of the wall as seen from A2, the building to which ours will connect.
    • This gives a close-up view of the work on the wall.
    • Finally, a shot of the crane and the wall work.
  • By June 8, 2003, we see the beginning of a ground floor being erected.
    • Here's a shot of the girders extending up into the air and the crane that put them there.
    • This shows the excavation for the oher half of the ground floor foundation.
    • In this shot the beginning s the steel framing for the second floor is visible.
    • This view shows the service access tunnel connecting the building to A2.
    • Another view of the girders.
    • The preparations for the first floor foundation.
  • By October 20, 2003, we see the the entire frame completed. there is some work on the walls beginning as well.
    • Here's a shot of most of the front of the building (it's a bit wide for the camera lens and location). You can now easily see where the entrance will be.
    • This shows the north end of the framework that is not visible in the previous photo. It is on this end that the offices for the Physics and Chemistry Departments are located (ground and 1^st floors).
    • In this shot the center section of the building is seen in a bit more detail. There is a dark path in the back on this section as insulation has begun to go up. Also visible in the back is more the metal framing for the walls.
• Finally, we have the floor plans so you can get an idea of what it will be like inside.
  • The basement houses the radiation lab and the analytical chemistry labs. Only about half of the building has a basement under it.
  • On the first floor is the main entrance to the building and the chemistry department office. There are also four physics faculty offices (outlined in red).
  • The second floor is the main physics floor. here we have the physics department office, instructional and research labs and the one classroom found in the building. You will notice that we will have a student study room, a student machine shop as well as ample space for computer, electronics and reseach labs.
  • The third floor is more boring chemistry stuff.