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Raising the LCLS Office Building

Last Wednesday and Thursday, in only two working days, construction crews assembled the exterior of what will be the new office building for the Linac Coherent Light Source. After receiving final safety instructions Wednesday morning, workers were cleared to begin erecting 22 two-story concrete panels that make up the exterior walls of the building.

One by one, the crew used a crane to lift the panels—all poured on site—and place them upright in their designated locations. The first handful of panels were the easiest to place since they were created exactly adjacent their destinations. Due to space constraints, the other panels were slightly farther away, which meant the crane had pick them up and move them slowly and carefully to their spots. The crew had all 22 panels in place by Thursday afternoon, well ahead of the predicted rain.

—Lauren Knoche
  
SLAC Today, November 23, 2009


The concrete walls lay ready early Wednesday morning.
(Photo by Michael Scharfenstein.)


The first wall went into place just after 9 a.m. Wednesday. (Photo by Lauren Knoche.)


The second wall followed shortly after.
(Photo by Lauren Knoche.)


The second wall went up in less than 30 minutes. (Photo by Lauren Knoche.)


The construction team's view of the partially completed building Wednesday afternoon.
(Photo by Michael Scharfenstein.)


Halfway done at 10 a.m. Thursday. (Photo by Michael Scharfenstein.)


The final panel went into place Thursday afternoon. (Photo by Michael Scharfenstein.)


All walls stood in place and the site was quiet Friday afternoon. (Photo by Lauren Knoche.)