The College of Eastern Idaho (CEI) recently reached an exciting milestone in the construction of its Future Tech Building with a topping-off ceremony held last Tuesday afternoon in Idaho Falls. This momentous event marked the placement of the final beam, a tradition symbolizing the completion of a structure’s framework.
The Future Tech Building, an 88,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility, will serve as a hub for cutting-edge education and workforce training. Once completed, it will house cybersecurity, agri-tech, machine shop, medical, and technology classrooms and lab spaces, as well as a large second-floor conference and event center. This facility will enhance CEI’s curriculum and provide critical resources to support economic and workforce development in Idaho Falls and the surrounding region.
Playing a crucial role in this transformative project, LBYD Federal has provided comprehensive engineering design support, including civil, structural, mechanical, and plumbing engineering. As one of LBYD Federal’s first large-scale, full-design service projects, the Future Tech Building represents a significant achievement in the company’s portfolio, demonstrating its capability to execute complex, multi-disciplinary engineering efforts.
Completing this project will mark a major leap forward for education, innovation, and industry collaboration in the area. By equipping students with cutting-edge skills in high-demand fields, the facility will help bridge the gap between education and industry needs, ultimately contributing to Idaho’s economic growth and technological advancement.
The topping-off ceremony originates in ancient Scandinavian culture, where builders would place a tree at the highest point of a structure to honor the spirits of nature and bless the building. Over time, this tradition evolved. In modern construction, it has become customary to paint the final beam white, allow team members to sign it, and hoist it into place, often accompanied by a flag.
During the CEI ceremony, members of LBYD Federal’s construction and design team, CEI leadership, the Trustee Board, the Mayor of Idaho Falls, State Representatives, and other project partners—gathered to sign the beam before witnessing its placement atop the structure. This symbolic moment not only marked progress on the facility, but also reinforced the spirit of collaboration and dedication among all involved.
See more pictures from the event below.
Steelworkers raise the final beam into place at the Future Tech Building at College of Eastern Idaho.
Six of the 200 local employees who have constructed the Future Tech building so far.
Steelworkers release the beam after securing it during the topping off ceremony at the College of Eastern Idaho.
The commemorative beam is caught by a steelworker on top of the Future Tech Building at College of Eastern Idaho.
