AUSTIN, TX  The last steel beam was placed on the on the Texas Advanced Computing Center during a topping out ceremony on the University of Texas J.J. Pickle Research Campus in Austin. Members of the O'Connell Robertson/Flintco design-build team, along with UT System and TACC faculty and staff, signed the beam before it was lifted to the top of the building.

The new TACC facility will support research and activities promoting the field of advanced computing and computational science. The 38,000-square-foot, three-story office building will be connected by an enclosed walkway to TACC's current facilities. A 1,500-square-foot visualization lab will be used to generate awareness and support for visualization research and programs, while state-of-the-art monitors will provide a high level of detail for researchers to visualize and analyze data.

The facility will also include an auditorium that will seat 267 people and a flexible training room for 50 people. Interior spaces will provide flexibility, comfort, and connectivity integrated into the public lobby/gathering space, reception area, conference room, training facilities, offices, and student work areas. The sophisticated and inviting design reflects TACC's emphasis on technology, innovation, sustainability and transparency.

To commemorate the milestone event, Flintco hosted a lunch for the construction workers and attendees. Flintco also used the event to mark more than 170 consecutive accident-free days. 

The design team, led by O'Connell Robertson, which is providing architecture, MEP engineering, and interior design services, includes Datum Engineers (structural engineering), MWM DesignGroup (civil engineering), DataCom Design Group (technology/communications), BAi (acoustics/AV), and Coleman & Associates (landscape architecture).