METALLURGY BUILDING
Built: 1947-1949
Architect: Tinsley, Higgins and Lighter
Contractor: James Thompson & Sons
The first reference to this building appears in the Minutes of November 1-2, 1946, when “President Friley stated that the Federal Government probably would make funds available for an atomic research building, and that the Government had requested the Iowa State College to designate architects for the project.” In January the Board was informed “that the United States Army had selected… architects to design the Atomic Institute Building.”
In March 1947 a lease was executed for the building site, which had been determined the previous month. Bids for construction were received and the contract awarded in July 1947.1 In January 1948 the construction contract was modified to incorporate additional work:
| (a) | Erection of temporary pre-fab storage buildings for Atomic Institute |
$50,000 |
| (b) | Installation of equipment in the Metallurgy Building |
121,700 |
| (c) | Moving of two Home Management houses from the Metallurgy Building site |
25,000 |
| (d) | Connection of utilities, grading, landscaping walks and drives for the Metallurgy Building |
40,000 |
| $236,700 |
Payment of the above projects to be out of funds furnished by the Atomic Energy Commission.2
During 1948 contracts for the laboratory equipment and for an intercommunicating system were entered into.
The cornerstone was laid in a dedicatory service on May 14, 1948.3
The building was completed in 1949.