Department of Physics Breaks Ground for New Physics Research Building
On May 17, 2002, the Department of Physics held a ground breaking ceremony for the state-of-the art Physics Research Building. The ceremony took place from 3:30-5:30 with presentations at 3:45, at the site of the new building located on Woodruff Avenue between Hitchcock Hall and Johnston Laboratory. Speakers included President of The Ohio State University William E. Kirwan, Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Zuheir Sofia, Dean of the College of Mathematical and Physical Sciences Robert Gold, Chair of the Department of Physics William Saam, and senior physics major Karoline Gilbert. Displays featured blueprints of the new space, as well as archival photos from the construction of Smith Laboratory, the current home of the Department of Physics. Refreshments were be served. Pictures from the event are available at http://www.physics.ohio-state.edu/newbuilding/images/gb_images.php.
The 233,739 square foot building will house the department's administrative offices, conference space, and faculty offices, as well as 210 laboratory modules. The design features a stunning atrium and adjoining patio space. Interaction is the focus of open spaces throughout the building, and a highlight of the atrium floor is the Robert Smith Seminar Room, made possible through a generous gift from Robert and Winifred Smith, of Balboa Island, California. Robert Smith, an alumnus of the department, is also the son of Alpheus Smith, for whom Smith Laboratory is named. View an interactive tour around the building at www.physics.ohio-state.edu/newbuilding . There you can also watch the progress throughout the two-year construction process.
