Western Oregon University, Natural Sciences Building Renovations

Monmouth, Oregon

How do we leverage thoughtful, targeted interventions to transform an outdated facility to meet the advancing needs of the Natural Sciences program?

A college science lab where a professor in a lab coat can be seen in the background, and two students in the foreground, one standing at a counter, and the other seated a his laptop
Originally built in 1968 to serve Western Oregon University’s (WOU) chemistry department, the Natural Sciences Building required renovations to advance the Natural Sciences program’s values and goals. FFA led the design team in developing improvements to teaching labs, student research spaces, support areas, informal learning spaces, accessibility upgrades, and greenhouse enhancements. We renovated the main entrance to be more welcoming and functional for all.
 
The FFA design team analyzed existing systems and academic spaces with the goal of optimizing available resources during a challenging construction environment. We established a two-phase approach so the renovation could take place while the building remained occupied and operational.
 
Leveraging sustainable design and thoughtful, targeted interventions, the team updated the mechanical, electrical, plumbing, lighting and IT/AV systems. These strategies increased efficiencies and reduced energy costs while creating a healthier building for all occupants.
 
As part of the effort to enhance the space, WOU worked with the Oregon Arts Commission to solicit proposals for a new series of works, which were ultimately commissioned by Ashland artist Claire Burbridge. The artwork explores the balance and cycles of natural ecosystems and was made possible through Oregon’s Percent for Art in Public Places Program.
Year Completed:
2019
Size:
44,700 sf
Project Contact:
Edward Running, AIA, LEED AP BD+C
Partner, Market Lead
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Photo of a dark, crowded academic science lab
Typical Lab (before)
A college science lab, where a professor looks over the shoulder of one student, as another puts something in a cupboard in the background
Renovated Lab
A dark, empty greenhouse
Greenhouse (before)
A young man in a lab coat stands in a greenhouse full of plants, looking at what appears to be a beaker of liquid
Greenhouse (after)
A dark, sparsely furnished lobby in an academic building
Lobby (before)
A bright lobby in an academic building, where a woman can be seen exiting through the door, and a young man writes on a whiteboard surface as another young man looks on
Lobby with Breakout Space (after)
A dark staircase in an academic building
Stairway (before)
Man seen from behind, walking up a brightly-lit stairway with a large, abstract painting on the wall at the landing
Stairway with New Art Installation (after)
A dark, cluttered hallway in an academic building
Corridor (before)
A brightly lit and cheerfully-painted corridor in an academic building
Corridor (after)

A young man in a lab coat placing a beaker on a counter in a lab-classroom

A man ascending a brightly-lit staircase with a yellow wall and an abstract painting at the landing above him

A man in a lab coat sits at a table, looking through a microscope

A pond, foot bridge, and sculpture outside a brick, mid-century academic building

The lawn in front of a mid-century brick academic building