It’s already topped out, and now Campbell Sports Center is ready to be enclosed.
Construction of the new Columbia athletic complex at 218th Street and Broadway, on the southeast corner of Baker Field, recently hit a milestone called “topping out,” meaning the structure has reached its maximum height.
“The crane was removed this past weekend with the completion of steel and concrete plank deliveries,” University spokeswoman Victoria Benitez said in a statement. The crane had been at the site since November.
With no more need for the crane, and the steel and concrete structure completed, the construction is moving on to the next phase ahead of schedule. Olaf Schmidt, a senior associate at Steven Holl Architects, the firm designing the structure, attributed the speed of the project to the type of structure being built.
“The construction has been progressing quite rapidly mainly because of the type of structural system that was chosen, steel and precast concrete plank. Both can be erected quite fast,” Schmidt said. “Another factor was that the schedule gave us time to coordinate things in detail before construction started.”
Next, the structure will be enclosed, and the interior will be built out with partitions and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, “all of which have their own challenges and require close coordination between all trades,” according to Schmidt.
The enclosure—which Schmidt said includes the exterior walls and windows—is designed to give Columbia athletics more visibility uptown. The interior will include meeting and conference rooms, a strength-and-conditioning center, a lounge and study center, and other facilities for the athletic department.
Despite architectural and engineering challenges which Schmidt discussed at a December lecture, the building “is on track for fall 2012 occupancy,” Benitez said.
“We are excited it has been moving fast and look forward to completing the building,” Schmidt said.
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