Facilities/Construction Management topped off its latest achievement with a topping
out ceremony in spring. The ceremony celebrated reaching the top of Centennial Hall,
the new dormitory that will establish approximately 1,000 new beds for freshmen.
The three-sided, six-floor Centennial Hall stands across from Cougar Woods Dining
Commons. Additionally, a new Dining Commons will also support the dormitory. The University
of Houston expects both Centennial Hall and Dining Commons to be completed in 2027.
Celebrating Team Pride with a Beam on Top
Topping out ceremonies mark a big milestone in a construction project: the building
has reached its full height. It’s a way for everyone involved on the project—from
the designers to the workers and beyond—to celebrate what they’ve accomplished together.
Although the details vary from event to event, the most common features include workers signing a beam, which a crane then places onto the roof of the building. The beam might be decorated with flags or banners. Some topping out ceremonies also include placing a young evergreen tree on the beam to symbolize ongoing growth, vitality, and life.
Centennial Hall’s Topping Out Ceremony
Austin Commercial, which partnered with Facilities/Construction Management (F/CM)
for the Centennial Hall project, hosted the topping out ceremony. Construction workers,
project managers, architecture representatives, F/CM and Student Affairs staff, among
others gathered for the special midday event.
The attendees were treated to lunch while a mariachi band played. Shortly after, John-Paul Bujnoch, the Austin Commercial project superintendent, delivered a speech, with Austin Project Manager Martin Rojas translating it into Spanish. In his speech, Bujnoch proudly shared how quickly the construction project came together.
Then came time for the titular part of the ceremony: the topping out itself. Contributors to the project had the chance to sign the beam, which was decorated with flags and the evergreen tree in a planter. The crane lifted the beam onto the roof, drawing applause and cheers from the crowd.
Building Futures, Maintaining Excellence
F/CM leadership overseeing the project were enthused about the topping out ceremony.
“This was a fantastic event with great energy, setting a powerful tone for the work we’ll be doing moving forward,” said F/CM Senior Project Manager Brad Schmidt.
F/CM Senior Facilities Project Inspector Cesar Villagran spoke of the ceremony as “… the culmination of months of hard work and conscious collaboration, a moment to pause and recognize what it took to get here. An opportunity to honor every person, every voice, and every decision that carried us to this point.”
Facilities/Construction Management looks forward to seeing students move into Centennial
Hall. Many thanks to all those who have collaborated on the rise of this magnificent
building.