With 70 research labs, five teaching labs, three theater-style lecture halls, 40 offices for faculty and professional staff, and 80 offices for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, the Shelby Interdisciplinary Science Building will be the largest academic building on the UA campus when it is completed this year and one of the Southeast’s largest science education facilities. Construction of the structure has drawn considerable interest based on its size as well as its beauty.
The roof line is set off with a cornice that serves as a gutter system for the pentagonal-shaped building. The precast cornice, which is 8 feet, 8 inches tall, weighs 1,100 pounds per linear foot. Approximately 35 miles of pipes run throughout the structure and more than half-a-million bricks were used in construction—enough to brick 100 medium-sized family homes.
The building is named in honor of Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL) and his wife, Dr. Annette Shelby, who were instrumental in obtaining funding for construction. Batson-Cook is the building contractor. To learn more about Shelby Hall visit the website at www.as.ua.edu/shelby. Dedication of Shelby Hall is scheduled for spring 2004.