Caltech Breaks Ground on New Chemistry & Chemical Engineering Building

The California Institute of Technology held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Warren & Katherine Schlinger Laboratory for Chemistry and Chemical Engineering on Wednesday, February 13, 2008.

Designed by Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, the new 60,000 square foot facility will integrate chemistry, chemical engineering, and chemical science with the other forefront areas of science and engineering research at Caltech. A variety of lab types necessary for chemical synthesis, chemical engineering, and biochemistry research are accommodated, including space for the Center for Catalysis and Chemical Synthesis, headed by Nobel Laureate, Robert Grubbs. Construction on the new laboratory is currently underway, and completion is expected in late 2009.

Speakers at the groundbreaking ceremony included Dr. David Tirrell, Chair of the Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jon C. Jackson, FAIA, Principal Architect at Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, and Dr. Warren Schlinger, the laboratory's primary donor and esteemed alumnus. Mr. Schlinger earned his BS in applied chemistry, as well as an MS and PhD in chemical engineering. While at Caltech, he also met his wife, Katherine, a native Pasadena resident, vocal soloist, and former Chemical Engineering Department Secretary. Caltech President, Jean-Lou Chameau, led the ceremony. Tirrell and Chameau have both commented on the generosity of the Schlingers and on the importance of the new facilities role in the science community and on the campus.