On the Scene: Natural History Museum's Groundbreaking for the Sci-Curious, More
Above: science-minded first-graders, along with politicians and American Museum of Natural History participants, helped to officially break ground for the Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education and Innovation on June 12. The $383-million, 230,000-sq-ft project will add classrooms, a redesigned library, galleries and an immersive theater to the museum. Visitors will learn about current scientific research through exhibits, education programs and even the structure itself. “This building will demonstrate sustainability,” proclaimed architect Jeanne Gang (holding the eighth shovel from right), noting its extensive use of natural sunlight and its rainwater collection systems.
Engineering News-Record editors gathered this year’s national top young professionals on June 20 for the magazine’s 20 Under 40 “Think Tank” in New York City. The group, selected from the Top Young Pros named by judges in ENR’s regions around the country, went to sites both iconic—like Grand Central Terminal, pictured at right—and under construction. After lunch, the pros broke into discussion groups to talk about issues including the future workforce; evolving project delivery, bidding and productivity; infrastructure and infostructure advocacy, funding and market impacts; and the industry’s role in insuring sustainability, resilience and climate change protection. Their insights will be featured in the Aug. 5-12 issue of ENR.