Originally designed in 1928 as a dormitory, the University of Oregon’s Straub Hall was repurposed in the 1970s as a classroom facility for the Psychology department. Requiring a modernization to suit the needs of faculty and students, the university worked with Glumac’s engineering staff to help usher this building into the 21st century, while maintaining its Colonial Revival aesthetic.

Glumac provided MEP engineering and construction management services on the project. Low-profile systems were heavily utilized in the attic and basement spaces to maintain the integrity of the original design. Active chilled beams used water from the facility’s existing central plant for small, easily hidden pipes over which air is passed to cool the interiors. A classroom space was added on to the u-shaped building to help accommodate 1,000 more classroom seats, and a state of the art lecture hall.

Glumac also provided lighting and technology integration design, integrating a large skylight to maximize daylighting and provide a biophilic connection for occupants, which improves overall attentiveness and productivity. A louver system gives the ability to shade the skylight, and a system of adjustable LED lights provide the flexibility to keep the white boards illuminated while the room is dark. The LED’s, combined with advanced controls that give facility management control over the system, make the room five times more energy efficient than the standard system on the campus. Lighting in the vintage lobby was redone by integrating fixtures on top of existing crown molding, illuminating the ceiling as well as the art work that has adorned the walls for years. The room also features three connected HD screens.

The project was recognized with the IIDA Oregon Chapter 2018 Design Excellence Award.

Size: 58,000 square feet
Cost: $44 million
Completion: 2015
Architect: Rowell Browkaw & Opsis Architecture
Owner: University of Oregon
Services: MEP Engineering, Lighting Design

Images courtesy of Christian Columbres