The Ribbon’s Been Cut on the Brand New FSU Earth, Ocean & Atmospheric Science Building
On February 12, 2020, the ribbon was cut on the brand new 130,500 square foot EOAS building. Many might not know that this exciting day was a long time coming. Former Florida State President Eric Barron, a 1973 Geology alumnus, saw the need for a new facility and got the initial funding six year ago! During his four years of leadership he merged what used to be three separate departments (Geology, Meteorology, and Oceanography) into one, now known as the Department of Earth, Ocean & Atmospheric Science. Mr. Barron returned to see his vision brought to life attending the grand opening alongside FSU trustees, department faculty, students and alumni.
This new facility is a 7-story, reinforced-concrete building with the traditional Florida State exterior façade, masonry and clay-tile roofing as well as large elevations of modern curtain wall and metal siding. Like other academic science buildings, a key goal was to create a facility that will support a variety of learning environments for decades to come. There are eight teaching and 23 research based laboratories, a broadcast studio for the meteorology students, even a rooftop terrace for Meteorology observation, lounge spaces, a 280 seat auditorium, and a 100 seat active learning classroom. All of the labs have a combination of piped services including hot and cold water, high-purity water, compressed air, vacuum, and natural gas. The laboratories are designed with an open-lab concept with many modular pieces of casework and furniture, allowing future modification as well as ease of ongoing maintenance.
The EOAS building, with its bold exterior, 100-year construction, state of the art facilities, and flexible usage, will certainly be a valuable asset and landmark on FSU’s campus for many years to come.
You can read more of the event coverage HEREGo to https://news.fsu.edu/news/university-news/2020/02/12/florida-state-cuts-ribbon-on-new-earth-ocean-and-atmospheric-science-building-unveils-barron-statue/.