In 1960 the
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) appointed
Walter Orr Roberts as the founding director of the
National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and designated the
Table Mesa below the
Flatirons sandstone cliffs as its laboratory site.
Pietro Belluschi, then the dean of architecture at the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology advised Roberts on the selection of the architect for the center. Utilizing the deans of architecture at the UCAR constituent universities as an expert committee, they eventually selected I. M. Pei as the project's architect. He also laid out the building in a maze-like fashion to encourage greater interaction among the scientists. In January 1963 the NSF approved Pei's design, modifying it by removing the south tower and conference center to meet the budget constraints. The building was completed in 1966 and dedicated in 1967. Despite problems with leaky roofs and personnel flow, the building was considered a success in the scientific and architectural communities and, , remains the primary NCAR laboratory. In 1969 Pei designed the complementary Fleischmann Building on the same site to serve as the administrative headquarters of UCAR. ==Reaction==