The USC Keck Project in Pasadena hosted a Topping Out Ceremony on Wednesday, March 20th and Murray Company Execs joined the field team to witness the final structural beam being hoisted into place on this MOB project. Turner Construction contracted Murray Company to provide 100% of the plumbing scope on this healthcare facility for the owner, in this case, University of Southern California. Smith Group is the architect.
PX Jay Madison shares, “This beautiful new facility will be a 100,000 square foot care center specializing in state-of-the-art outpatient treatment, physical therapy, and rehabilitation. The project is on target to achieve a LEED Platinum Certification and Murray Company is proud to participate in this effort.”
Interesting fact
Did you know that the last steel beam placed is a major milestone in the evolution of a building project? This milestone is commemorated by painting the beam white and having the steel erection crew, construction team, designers, owners and other dignitaries sign the beam for posterity. The beam is typically adorned with a small evergreen tree and an American flag on opposite ends of the beam. This custom celebrates the construction process and is viewed as the first introduction of the building to the public. It uniquely honors the accomplishments of the construction crew and is reminiscent of old fashion, barn-raising celebrations.
The tree is the key symbol. In the steel trade, it signifies construction has reached the sky without loss of life or injury and it bodes well for the future inhabitants of the building. Throughout history, the tree appears to have conveyed different meanings to different people. It is believed to date back to 700 A.D. when Scandinavians topped their newly completed structures with sheathes of grain for Odin’s horse, Slepnir. Odin, supposedly impressed with this consideration for his horse bestowed good luck on the future inhabitants. It was also a signal to those nearby that it was time to start the celebration of a job well done.
Check out more event photos here:
Murray Company’s USC Keck MOB Project Team:
Virginia Brown | Vice President
Jay Madison | Project Executive
Juan Zelada | Senior Project Manager
Ivonne Gutierrez | Project Engineer
Tim Seymour | General Superintendent
Nate Nelissen | Foreman
Gerald Bender | Detailer
