Historic Resource Survey Form : Johnson Hall
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Date
2006
Authors
Johnson, Susan
Helwick, Sarah
Steverson, Erica
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
Johnson Hall houses the University's administrative offices, including the Office of the President and the Provost. Influenced
by Beaux-arts and classical revival styles, this brick building, accented with terra cotta tiles, has a symmetrical design plan and a
rectangular footprint. The north entry sidewalk features a center "O" topiary. From this side, the projecting center bay's two-story
portico is supported by six concrete Ionic columns that are covered with terra cotta tiles. The entablature above the portico is
decorated with dentil molding and other terra cotta tile decoration, such as the University of Oregon seal in the center. The terra cotta
cornice and frieze continue along the entire perimeter of the building. The south entrance of Johnson Hall features a cast iron and glass
awning described in Knighton's plans as "Marquise Metal." The east, west and south sides of Johnson Hall's windows are accented
with green fabric awnings. These awnings are not original to the building and it is unknown if they were included in the original design
intent, but they are evident in early photographs.
Completed on November 8, 1915, the Administration Building, as it was originally known, was designed by William C.
Knighton, Oregon’s State Architect. Costing over $100,000, it was campus’ most expensive building constructed at the time. In 1918
the Administration Building was renamed Johnson Hall after John Wesley Johnson, the first president of the University of Oregon. Ellis
Lawrence is somewhat connected to this building. He advised Knighton on the design and President Campbell referred to him as
"advisory architect." He also advised the University on various issues regarding this building including acoustical problems and
maintaining the terra cotta "Administration Building" plaque when the building's name was changed. The placement of Johnson Hall
between the Lawrence campus building projects (i.e., the Women’s Quad, Museum of Art, and Knight Library), and the Old Campus
Quad, which contain the University’s first buildings, is symbolic because it stands as a transition between these two significant periods
in University history. Johnson Hall’s presence, building technology, and sheer expense symbolized the University’s transition into a
new era of progressive change as exemplified in the University's subsequent growth and ambitious building projects. Its applied terra
cotta decoration, architectural form, and construction of reinforced concrete make this building unique to the campus at the time of its
construction. Originally, Johnson Hall featured the Guild Theater and an impressive Povey Brothers stained glass skylight that covered
the entire center of the second floor. The theatre was converted to office space and the glass skylights were removed when Robinson
Theater was completed in 1949. The glass panels were dispersed around campus and can now be found in Johnson Hall Conference
Room, Lawrence Hall, and Erb Memorial Union. Johnson Hall was the site of various student-led protests during the Vietnam Era. In
fact, UO students took over Johnson Hall in 1970. Subsequently, sixty-one students were arrested. In 1984 the architectural firm of
Brockmeyer McDonnell executed an exterior restoration of Johnson Hall. Among the projects included in this restoration were the
removal and replacement of the roof, repair of terra cotta tiles, repointing of brickwork, resealing of windows, and patching of
plasterwork. In 2004, the Project Management Group and UO Facility Services performed a historical improvements study and had
several recommendations.
Description
4 pages
Keywords
history, architecture, cultural resources survey