Oregon State University, Furman Hall Rehabilitation

Corvallis, Oregon

How do we save one of the oldest, most prominent buildings on campus from the wrecking ball?

Originally built in 1902, Oregon State University’s (OSU) Education Hall had been damaged by fires, poorly reconfigured multiple times, and had been deteriorating for decades. In hopes of saving the building from the wrecking ball, OSU commissioned FFA to lead a thorough rehabilitation study, which ultimately resulted in the complete restoration of the building’s historic exterior and a dramatic interior renovation.

The finished work on the iconic structure at the campus’ east entrance blends historic charm with high-tech touches. The exterior seismic upgrades were funded by the state, and the interior renovations were made possible by the generosity of private donors, which allowed the building to be more energy-efficient with new insulation, water-saving fixtures, and a stronger dependence on natural light with a new central atrium.

 

Year Completed:
2013
Size:
40,000 sf
Project Contact:
Troy Ainsworth, AIA
Architect, Market Lead
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Recognitions:

DeMuro Award for Excellence in Preservation, Re-Use, and Community Revitalization

Historic Preservation Certificate of Merit, Corvallis Historic Resources Commission

LEED Silver Equivalent

Historic sandstone college building with its exterior “skin” removed during renovation
The original crumbling facade was removed and the building completely gutted.
Restored stone college building that resembles a castle.
Furman Hall’s restored, stately facade belies the building’s modern interior.
Three chairs, one being occupied , two round tables, and a striped carpet as seen from one story above.
Hoteling
College classroom with students at desks and an instructor writing on the whiteboard
Daylit Learning Spaces
Small conference room with one wall of glass to let in natural light from skylights in the adjacent hallway
Transparency and Shared Light
A three-story atrium inside a college classroom building
Connections Between Levels

LAYERS OF LIGHT

The light-filled, open central atrium vertically and visually connects all floors and includes treating the new and the old as coexisting layers providing visual gaps between the present and the past.

The new four-story atrium, along with thoughtfully redesigned floor plans and strategic lighting, gives the space plenty of light and technological upgrades in many classrooms create an environment that meets the needs of today’s students and faculty.