Built in the early 1970s, Huestis Hall became the seventh science building at the University of Oregon’s growing Lorry I. Lokey Science Complex. For decades, it has continued to serve as a teaching and research hub for biological sciences. It’s home to the University’s Institute of Neuroscience, responsible for groundbreaking research in brain plasticity, neural mechanics of attention shifting, the impact of psychedelics on brain function and much more.
Over time, the building’s aging exterior and lack of a prominent main entrance has diminished Huestis Hall. The building’s interior mirrored the exterior’s condition, with finishes and utilities that were outdated and in poor condition. The layout of the research spaces also hindered the creation of an open, collaborative research environment. Additionally, the building no longer met contemporary standards for accessibility, MEP infrastructure, energy efficiency and seismic safety.
To transform Huestis Hall into a more resilient, modern and collaborative research facility, the University of Oregon embarked on a major renovation spanning 60,000 square feet across four stories with extensive seismic upgrades and a comprehensive overhaul of all the significant systems, including HVAC, plumbing, fire protection and electrical systems. Project design was headed by TVA Architects, with MEP design by Systems West Engineers, civil engineering by KPFF and structural engineering by Catena.
Completing seismic upgrades
Lewis inherited the project from another general contractor during the demolition phase. Drawing on decades of experience and over 50 past projects on campus, including prior work in Huestis Hall, Lewis quickly adapted to the challenges, including the need for complex seismic structural upgrades, keeping basement research labs operational and managing pre-existing conditions.
When considering how to implement seismic upgrades to the building, the project team concluded that adding shear walls would have been too disruptive to the Zebrafish Laboratory and the Lokey Laboratory in the basement. Instead, the team decided to utilize fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP), a composite material consisting of fibers embedded in resin, to provide strength and stiffness.
