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The Dental Sciences Building Campaign

Views of Construction Project

November 17, 2011

• Every day brings us closer to a finished Dental Sciences Building, and every day the building looks more complete. Now we have glass in all the windows, plants beginning to grow in our roof garden and an almost-completed bridge stretching across Manning Drive!
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• Inside the building, labs and research spaces are being fitted with cabinets and countertops, and equipment is being installed. Soon our students will be learning in these simulator labs, and research will be happening actively in our new research labs!
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• Our stairs are continuing to take shape, connecting all five floors of the new building.
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• The atrium has been fitted with its decorative ceiling light to help provide light when the large space isn't receiving natural light through its large windows.
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September 13, 2011

• The exterior of the building is almost complete! The copper roof has been installed, the bridge over Manning Drive is nearly finished and many of the windows are now in place. Work is currently being done on the garden roof atop our building which will be filled with N.C.-native plants that can thrive in all conditions including drought, frost and wind.
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• The interior of the new Dental Sciences Building is taking shape quickly too. Now that the rooms are walled in, the glass railings are going up along the Main Street Corridor walkways, along with most of the other interior glass installations along offices, labs and classrooms. They've also started creating the permanent staircases between the floors of our building.
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• Simulation labs are starting to feel more complete as they get fitted with countertops.
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• The George F. Kirkland, Jr. Grand Lecture Hall is structurally complete and ready for work to begin with flooring and hardware installations.
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• And, of course, the atrium is taking shape and getting windows and flooring fitted. Soon our students, faculty and staff alike will be using this space, nicknamed the Living Room, to share ideas, collaborate and relax.
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December 22, 2010

• Construction of the pedestrian bridge that will span Manning Drive from the future Dental Sciences Building to the Thurston Bowles plaza, is underway. With the north section of the bridge completed, work on the center section begins December 27. Manning Drive, from S. Columbia Street to West Drive, will be closed to pedestrians and motorists December 28 - January 2, while pre-assembled steel segments are placed with the use of a 110-ton hydraulic crane, and then welded. The south bridge tower is scheduled for completion, December 31.
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November 4, 2010

• Dr. Ken May, the School of Dentistry's vice dean, recently ascended to the top of a construction crane (accompanied by school photographer Ramona Hutton-Howe and a safety escort) to present the crane operator, Walter Tillman, with a commemorative pin of the Dental Sciences Building and thank him for his service. Stephen Farris was the original tower crane operator until late September/early October 2010. When the crane is dismantled in December 2010, it will have logged more than 3,500 hours of work on the Dental Sciences Building construction project. The operator cab/walkway is about 180 feet above the crane's foundation, and the top of the crane is about 215 feet from the foundation. The boom length is about 250 feet. The footing supporting the crane is made up of more than 12 tons of steel reinforcing and 270 yards of concrete. It is designed to accommodate not only the tower crane but also serves as the permanent foundation for five surrounding building columns once the tower crane is removed. (Photo credit: Ramona Hutton-Howe)
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October 1, 2010

• Interim Dean John W. Stamm presided at an October 1, 2010, "Topping Out Ceremony" for the School of Dentistry's Dental Sciences Building. The Dental Sciences Building Campaign Steering Committee hosted the event; guests were escorted to the interior ceremony site, which allowed a "first look" at the 220-seat auditorium and other building features. Dr. James A. Harrell Sr., who chairs the steering committee, and Dr. Charles Norman, vice chairman of the committee, also spoke at the event. Then those in attendance had the opportunity to sign a Carolina blue beam and watch as the construction team lifted it into place.
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• After those in attendance at the Topping Out Ceremony signed the Carolina blue beam, members of the construction team lifted the beam from the ground to the top of the building, for placement.
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July 22, 2010

• All forms have been removed from the 120-seat case lecture hall on the first floor in preparation for mechanical and electrical systems to be installed.
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• The atrium slab has been poured and the steel columns put in place. The atrium will provide much-needed student and staff gathering areas and will feature a relaxed sitting-room environment, a dining area, a cafe and a technology wall.
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• Scaffolding is being erected in preparation for welding the atrium steel structural supports. The atrium "green" roof will be visible from the fourth floor of Brauer Hall and the upper floors of the Dental Sciences Building. A skylight will provide natural lighting to the atrium below.
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• The emergency generator fuel tank is lowered into position in the south areaway.
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April 27, 2010

• The tiers for the 220-seat auditorium are now formed. The auditorium spans the ground floor and first floor, with the ground-floor entrance positioned to the left and upper entrances on either side of the tiers on the first floor. The first-floor auditorium entrances are off the main lobby at the South Columbia Street entrance.
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• The 60,500-gallon cistern will collect condensate from the air handling equipment in the mechanical rooms and rain water from the roof - which will, in turn, provide water for the landscape irrigation system. The University is pursuing Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) silver certification for the Dental Sciences Building.
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• The "eagle's nest" is where the north wing intersects with the south and west wings. From this elevation, looking east, one will be able to view the atrium below once the building project is complete.
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February 11, 2010

• Thirteen tractor trailers delivered the Dental Sciences Building tower crane in October 2009, and after 28 hours of constant activity the crew had the entire tower crane in place. The crane will be on-site nine months. A few facts about the crane:
  • The crane is bolted to a 30' x 40' x 6' double-reinforced concrete foundation.
  • The total length of the jib is 320 feet.
  • The total height, from top to bottom, is 211 feet.
  • The crane can lift 7,045 pounds at the tip furthest from the cabin.
  • The crane can lift 22,026 pounds at the closest location to the cabin.
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October 9, 2009

• With the southern end of the site excavated to basement-floor level, work continues northward. The drilling rig in the center of the photo is drilling solid granite in preparation for the crew to set explosive devices to aid in the removal of the rock (View 1). A view of the crew’s careful work at the blast site (View 2).
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• This short video shows the crew preparing to blast at the prepared site, now that the protective rubber safety mat is in place. A wave of the arms by a ground crew member signifies the area is clear. Seconds later, the sounding of the horn alerts others of the impending blast. A push of the button, and one more successful blast is completed.
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August 19, 2009

• The anticipation of hitting rock in the northwestern corner of the site has not slowed the project. The contractor was prepared, and the rock is being broken into small pieces and recycled. The west bank had sprayed-on concrete applied to stabilize the site and assists in reducing erosion until a retaining wall can be built.
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• The south wing of the Dental Sciences Building is now at the final basement floor level and is approximately 28 feet below grade at the Columbia Street elevation. Excavation of the site is 50 percent complete. The retaining wall will ensure worker safety as the building is constructed.
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• The area housing the south wing of the Dental Sciences Building has been excavated to the basement level, except for the footings for the foundation. This was accomplished by lowering the entire plain in five deep increments at a time. Approximately 18,000 cubic yards of dirt and rock have been removed. Excavation is scheduled to be completed by early November. The foundation concrete and steel work is scheduled to begin in October.
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July 20, 2009

• Workers are shown preparing the cables to be drilled into the ground to help support the retaining wall along the west side of the construction site.
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• The last remaining wall of the Dental Research Center is shown being demolished. The Dental Research Center, officially dedicated in 1967, was decommissioned and demolished in 2008.
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• The south side of the construction site has been excavated and is beginning to take the shape of the south wing of the Dental Sciences Building footprint.
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• A temporary stair tower has been erected for emergency exiting from Old Dental Building. The tower will be removed when the construction project is completed. The area between Old Dental Building and MacNider Hall (lower right corner) and the driveway leading to South Columbia Street will be transformed into the dental school’s landscaped greenway. This area will feature trees, shrubs, flowers, benches and crisscrossing pathways.
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May 14, 2009

• The underpinning of Brauer Hall has begun. Underpinning ensures that the structural integrity of the building is not compromised during future site excavation.
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• A view of the patient drop-off lane under construction on Manning Drive near the South Columbia Street intersection. The new patient drop-off will be in effect June 1, 2009.

March 10, 2009

• Aerial View of the Construction Site