The Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology (KIPAC) held a Kick-Off Party on October 18, an event designed to introduce Kavli to the astrophysics community. About 100 scientists attended from both local universities and local DOE labs. "It was quite a success all around," said KIPAC Director Roger Blandford. "We had large contingents from LBNL and Livermore. We can complement each other in various ways." On the agenda were nine science talks as well as a Round Table discussion on future collaborations.

An artist’s rendition of the Kavli Institute, with Panofsky Grove to the right. (Courtesy of EHDD)

Inauguration of KIPAC took place on March 17. While the building is still in the planning stages, there are a great many things happening already with KIPAC.

Funded by the philanthropic physicist Fred Kavli, the new Institute will concentrate on current developments in astrophysics, high energy physics and cosmology, as well as collaborative work with other institutions and scientists. Blandford and Deputy Director Steven Kahn have offices in the Central Lab Annex (Bldg. 84) as well as at Stanford.

The KIPAC building is partway through the several stages of its design. "We had approval from the Board of Directors in October 2003," Blandford said. "We will do detailed design in February and groundbreaking in May 2004 with completion planned for 2005." He added, "At the moment it seems like it’s going very well. We’re very happy with it. It’s meant to blend in with the SLAC central campus."

EHDD Architecture of San Francisco is designing the new facility. There will be a mid-size auditorium, seating about 150, and around 100 offices. Incorporated into the building’s lobby will be an information center. The final design is still under discussion. Blandford has a vision for scientific meeting space, "On the top floor there will be a nice large conference room which I see being used for international meetings."

The new building will be situated between the Research Office Building (ROB) and Panofsky Grove. Great care is being taken not to disrupt the Grove. "In fact", said Blandford, "The landscaping is being taken quite seriously, and will be quite nice. There will be new trees, including new redwoods."

Jennifer Formichelli, Administrative Associate for Kavli added, "Large windows and a balcony are planned to take advantage of the view of the Bay."