Campus Planning, Historic Preservation

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Browsing Campus Planning, Historic Preservation by Author "Flathman, Jennifer"

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    Historic Resource Survey Form : Erb Memorial Union
    (University of Oregon, 2006) Johnson, Susan; Pochert, Erin; Flathman, Jennifer
    Though construction of the Erb Memorial Union ended in 1950, plans, developments, and budgeting for the building started as early as 1924. There was a renewed vigor and interest in 1944 and in 1946 preliminary building plans were developed by the architectural firm of Ellis Lawrence, Tucker, and Walman. The original design was actually by Ellis Lawrence, but he passed away before the design process was completed. It was finished by his son, H. Abbott Lawrence, and the building lost much of the monumental character of the original design but still maintained its large massing. It is a reinforced concrete building with a brick veneer that covers one-third of a block in the “Heart of Campus.” Construction began in 1949 and finished in 1950. Named after an exuniversity president, Donald M. Erb, the student union held a cafeteria, soda bar, clubs, offices, bowling alleys, and room for dances. The second floor of the north wing is an exact replica of the Knight Library’s original browsing room. It was built with intention to move some collections to this secondary browsing room to free up space in the library. The first addition (the north addition) was completed in 1962. It consisted of a newer and larger cafeteria with more dining seats available, the finishing of the basement and first floors, and the refurbishing of eight bowling alley lanes. The architects for this addition were H. Abbott Lawrence, Tucker, & Walman. The second addition (the east addition) completed in 1972 was the construction of what is today known as the “ the skylight” lounge built in the Brutalism style. Its upper floors are surrounded by glass on all sides. One of the interesting aspects of this addition is the unique old growth Douglas fir wood flooring. The architect for this addition was Colburn/Sheldon, Lutes/Amundson with James Lambert and Associates as the Landscape Architect. There were also renovations to the Fishbowl in 1980, ballroom alterations in 1986, and in 1998 an amphitheater was built at the front entrance. These additions and other interior alterations have significantly changed the original building and the landscape.
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    Historic Resource Survey Form : Esslinger Hall
    (University of Oregon, 2006) Johnson, Susan; Flathman, Jennifer; Pochert, Erin
    The Physical Education Building is a good example of the association between campus planner and architect Ellis Lawrence with the Public Works Administration (PWA). The PWA provided the funding for the construction of the Physical Education Building and other projects built on the campus during the 1930s. The restrained quality of the building conforms to the PWA guidelines for economy as well as a growing trend in architecture toward simple forms. Esslinger Hall is a low, horizontal, poured concrete structure that is simply but elegantly detailed. The building’s decoration is furnished by the groupings of windows, geometric patterns in the doors and transom panels above the doors, and patterns in the concrete. Detailing of the concrete provides the building’s primary ornament. The detailing emphasizes the horizontality of the site with contrasting vertical elements highlighting the entries. The combinations of octagons and rectangles in the doors along with the horizontal band of rectangular, grouped hinged sash windows are in keeping with the emphasis on simple geometries in the Moderne style. Although the Physical Education Building is the only Lawrence project on the Oregon campus to employ the Moderne style, the massing and refined detailing is characteristic of Lawrence’s work throughout the campus. The original building contained two basketball courts, eight handball/squash courts, locker rooms, and office space. During construction, the building was attached to the existing McArthur Court by a set of doors at the southwest corner. Modifications include the addition of a second story administrative wing in 1954, construction of the swimming pool in 1958, and the remodeling of the second story to repair damage resulting from the 1971 fire. In 1975, the University renamed the building in honor of the contributions of Arthur A. Esslinger during his service as Dean of the College of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation from 1953 until 1971. The continuing growth of athletics and physical education at the University prompted the construction of the Student Recreation and Fitness Center in 1999 (designed by TBG Architects of Eugene and Cannon-Parkin of Los Angeles) which is attached to Esslinger Hall at the northeast corner.
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    Historic Resource Survey Form : Gilbert Hall
    (University of Oregon, 2006) Johnson, Susan; Pochert, Erin; Flathman, Jennifer
    Gilbert Hall was originally known as Commerce Hall. Construction was completed in 1921. It was the east wing of the “front pillars” of Ellis Lawrence’s axis plan, along with Peterson Hall which sits opposite to the west. Gilbert was constructed mainly out of brick with exquisite detailing of terra cotta and molded concrete. According to the Ellis Lawrence Survey (see Bibliography) it is built following the Modernized Byzantine style. Lawrence designed primary campus buildings such as Peterson and Gilbert in exotic styles, as seen in his other works on Memorial Quad, while he reserved Colonial Revival for secondary buildings (Education East, Education West, Women’s Memorial Quad buildings). Commerce remained as it was built until 1951when a large addition connected it to Peterson Hall. The ensemble became known as the Commonwealth Complex and the name “Gilbert Hall” was given to the large building that connected Commerce Hall and Peterson Hall (then known as the Education Building). In 1975 Commerce Hall was renamed Gilbert Hall and the original Gilbert Hall held the name Commonweath. Commonweath was later razed for construction of the new Lillis Business Complex. 1951 held many alterations for Gilbert Hall (Commerce). The Commonwealth addition obstructed the Dads’ Gates Axis originally intended by Ellis Lawrence and caused a need to elevate the grade of the courtyard. The first flight of the entry stair was removed to meet the level of the new re-grade and retaining walls around basement windows had to be built to compensate. The most startling alteration in 1951 was the truncation, or flattening, of the parapet on the entry façade. What was once a gabled parapet is now a flat grade. Also in 1951, the interior’s finished plaster was replaced, and acoustic ceiling tiles and new floors were installed. Many of the original doors were replaced with wood panel doors as well.
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    Historic Resource Survey Form : Hendricks Hall
    (University of Oregon, 2006) Johnson, Susan; Pochert, Erin; Flathman, Jennifer
    Built in 1918, Hendricks Hall was named after T.G. Hendricks, a local grocer who donated money for the construction of Deady Hall. Hendricks was built out of brick with a common bond and is notable for its wooden shingled gambrel roofs with parapets and dormers. The windows are of wooden frame and are multi-pane double hung. Hendricks is a well-decorated building on campus. It has wooden cornices, porch, and pediments. The irregular “L” shape of the building is due to it originally being a women’s dormitory. The building was sectioned off into three sections of three levels. It can be best described as three “houses” in one structure. Sixteen women lived on each floor. The residing women would share bath facilities and living spaces. Each “house” had a separate entrance to the building, thus explaining the multiple entry points seen on Hendricks Hall. The original main entrance is the west door facing the Women’s Memorial Quad, not the east door facing University Street which is most commonly used today. This was the housing prototype developed by Lawrence and was copied at Whitman College but that was the last that it was seen. Ellis Lawrence designed the Women’s Memorial Quad with the intent of using Gerlinger, Hendricks, and Susan Campbell Halls as verticies. Additional buildings were intended but never realized.
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    Historic Resource Survey Form : Heustis Hall
    (University of Oregon, 2006) Johnson, Susan; Pochert, Erin; Flathman, Jennifer
    The construction of Science III in 1973 demonstrates the continued importance of science on the University of Oregon campus. Growth and increased specialization within the science disciplines meant that the departments were rapidly outgrowing the laboratory and classroom spaces in Science I and II. The firm of Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill(SOM) continued the work begun with Science II to create a community of scientists equipped with the latest in technology. The SOM design for Science III sought to maximize the ability of the science departments to grow and utilize modern equipment. As with Science II, the structural frame is located at the perimeter of the building to maximize interior laboratory spaces. To allow for future growth, the reinforced concrete frame has capacity for vertical expansion of two levels. In Science III, brick provides greater harmony with campus buildings than in the earlier science buildings. The brick is clearly veneer and expressed concrete frame is in keeping with the Brutalist design principles. In 1986, the University renamed Science III in honor of Ralph Huestis’ contributions as professor of biology from 1924 to 1962. In 1989, Huestis Hall was connected to the new science complex by way of doors to Streisinger Hall. The science departments have used Huestis continuously since its construction. Currently Huestis Hall houses the Institute of Neuroscience.
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    Historic Resource Survey Form : Klamath Hall
    (University of Oregon, 2006) Johnson, Susan; Flathman, Jennifer; Pochert, Erin
    The science departments at the University of Oregon continued to grow in enrollment and specialization during the late 1950s and early 1960s. By the mid 1960s, the facilities in Science I (Pacific Hall) and its East Addition(Onyx Bridge) were cramped and outdated. Emerging fields such as Molecular Biology needed space and specialized equipment. The University planned to augment the science facilities with new buildings. In addition to funding from the State of Oregon, much of the sponsorship for individual laboratories came from grants given by the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health. The selection of Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill (SOM) to conduct the master planning for the science complex and design for Science II is significant in that this was the first firm from outside of the Northwest to design a campus building. This large, international firm is known for technically sophisticated buildings that emphasize utility. The master plan for the science complex called for incremental building with separate structures linked by corridors and courtyards to provide unity. The functional requirements of the departments housed within provide the organizational scheme for each individual building. The design for Klamath Hall (Science II) utilizes modern design principles to respond to the ever-changing functional needs. In keeping with Modernist principles, the only ornament is the expression of the structural frame. Not merely an aesthetic choice, the frame and corresponding lack of internal columns provides for open laboratory spaces, easy internal partitioning, and sun control. The use of fixed windows and reliance on mechanical ventilation also reflect the importance of technology in modern design. The desire to maximize internal flexibility drove the decisions for everything from mechanical systems to laboratory finishes. The Science Library’s central location is a hub linking the various departments together. The Library’s position in the basement maximizes the coverage on the site with the light well providing daylight and controlled access to the outdoors from within the facility. The Library is emblematic of the connection between utility and technology found throughout Klamath Hall and modern design.
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    Historic Resource Survey Form : Pacific Hall
    (University of Oregon, 2006) Johnson, Susan; Flathman, Jennifer; Pochert, Erin
    In the period following World War II, the University of Oregon experienced increasing enrollment and a need for buildings to house rapidly expanding programs. One of the areas that experienced the greatest growth was the sciences. During the early 1950s enrollment in science programs increased dramatically. The study of science at this time grew increasingly specialized with a need for new equipment and support spaces. The University intended for “Science I” to provide a modern home to all of the science disciplines. The 1952 design by Lawrence, Tucker, and Wallman emphasized utility and economy. The internal arrangements stressed flexibility of partition walls and durability of materials. The designers selected a reinforced concrete frame to accommodate the mechanical and equipment load necessary for “modern” science programs. The building has simple rectangular massing with the exception of the projecting entry bay at the northwest edge. The unadorned walls and massing reflect the building’s half modern style. It is said that the plain concrete façade is the result of budget cuts and that the original design called for brick. Further research is required to confirm this. The chair of the building committee of the State Board of Education, Dr. R.E. Kleinsorge, described Science I as “the single most important building ever added to the campus.” Kleinsorge’s sentiments are evidence of the increasing importance of science at the University of Oregon and the eagerness with which the community anticipated its construction. Typifying the new age of technological architecture, the building had a specially designed ventilating system, which pressurized inside air slightly greater than outside air, making labs odor-free. Also, chemistry labs were equipped with showers in their doors, (Sandahl). The building is connected to Columbia Hall via a skybridge on the second story. The building was connected in 1962 to what was originally known as the east wing of Science I but is now known as Onyx Bridge. In 1990, the building was renamed Pacific Hall. In 1990, a connection was added between Pacific Hall and the new wing of Lawrence Hall. The building continues to house science facilities but now also accommodates the Yamada Language Lab, Environmental Studies department, American English Institute, and facilities for the School of Architecture and Allied Arts.