Cahill Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics

The $41 million Cahill Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics (Design:Morphosis) at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) has opened its doors, marking another milestone in the institution’s $120 million modernization program facilitated by construction manager Heery International. The 100,000 SF building is the second of five projects across the campus that will ultimately be completed under the program.

“Managing a program of this magnitude, with buildings that are pursuing LEED Gold and Silver certifications requires an incredible amount of logistical focus,” said Bart Hale, project director for Heery. “Despite the challenges, the Cahill Center opened on time and within budget.”

Heery managed the move-in. The process required a high level of coordination with Caltech’s researchers to ensure that equipment can be transferred to the new building without interrupting ongoing projects.
 
“BIM was a must because of the engineering detail required,” said Hale. “Coordination of the MEP systems, which include exposed overhead cable trays and piping throughout much of the facility, required much cooperation between the subcontractors due to the high ceiling requirements and the narrow interstitial space. Usually, these systems are hidden from view, but at the Cahill Center these services are exposed, which means that in addition to working properly they also had to look good.”

The Cahill Center, which will be used to recruit top scientists and researchers, achieved LEED Gold, exceeding the city of Pasadena’s LEED Certified requirement for all new construction. Some sustainable features include exterior panels that reflect heat, light wells that bring sunlight into the basement laboratory spaces, occupancy sensors for lighting, Plyboo (bamboo plywood) bookshelves in the library and drought-resistant landscaping.