Construction of one of Colorado's largest advanced research facilities has reached a significant milestone, advancing a project that will expand the state's scientific infrastructure while creating continued opportunities for specialty contractors involved in highly technical laboratory construction. McCarthy Building Companies and Colorado State University have completed the structural steel frame for the Advanced Technology Lasers for Applications and Science (ATLAS) Facility, allowing work to move into the next phase of construction.
The topping-out milestone marks completion of the structural steel system for the two-story, 77,626-square-foot building located on Colorado State University's Foothills Campus.
The project involved the installation of approximately 590 tons of structural steel over five erection sequences. Earlier construction activities also included placement of roughly 7,355 cubic yards of concrete to support the building's foundation and structural systems.
Once complete, the ATLAS Facility will accommodate three high-powered laser systems designed to support advanced scientific research across multiple disciplines.
With the structural frame in place, construction activities are shifting toward installation of the building enclosure, mechanical and electrical infrastructure, and the specialized interior spaces required for laboratory and cleanroom operations.
Research facilities of this type typically require complex building systems to support vibration control, environmental conditioning, precision utilities and stringent operational requirements that differ significantly from conventional commercial buildings.
Project teams remain on schedule for substantial completion in December 2026.
Demand for research and higher education construction continues to generate opportunities for contractors with expertise in technically complex facilities. Projects involving laboratories, cleanrooms and advanced scientific equipment require specialized coordination among structural, mechanical, electrical and building systems teams throughout construction.
For construction owners and developers, milestones such as topping out indicate that major structural work has been completed and that projects are progressing into building systems installation and interior fit-out, phases that often represent a significant share of the project's technical scope and coordination efforts.
Source: McCarthy.
