Gladys Valley Marine Studies Building

Rising Above the Elements

OSU was determined to preserve the Hatfield campus as a place of innovation, research and education, giving the Marine Science Center direct access to the ocean. Situated next to Yaquina Bay, winds and wind-driven rain are very strong in this exposed location, making durability an extra concern. Architects proposed a facility that would withstand these climate challenges.

Meticulous research and engineering helped to create a building that can stand firm against the magnitude of a 9.0 earthquake and correlated tsunami. A key design feature is the ramp leading from ground level to a congregation point on the roof of the three-story structure. The roof height was determined by computer tsunami modeling to serve as a vertical evacuation site for more than 900 people. Kawneer contributed to the building’s resilience with the 1600 Wall System®1 and Wall System®2 Curtain Wall, which are seismically tested to AAMA 501.4 and AAMA 501.6 standards. Our 350 Heavy Wall™ Entrances help provide durability against the elements and heavy foot traffic.

Bringing Art and Science Together

A major goal for this project was to foster an environment of cross-disciplinary cooperation and innovation. The Gladys Valley Marine Studies Building supports a new type of teaching and research model through a curriculum that blends natural and social science. The building boasts a range of amenities, including a digital media studio, murals and sculpture by regional artists and a café. The windows in the building’s bright, open areas overlook the encompassing sand bar and nearby Yaquina Bay Bridge, cultivating creative thinking with inspiring views of nature.

CHALLENGES

• The building is located along the Cascadia Subduction Zone fault line making seismically-tested products essential for the project.
• OSU sought to create an innovative, non-traditional learning environment that prioritizes inspiration and sustainability.

SOLUTIONS

• Kawneer’s 1600 Wall System®1 and System®2 Curtain Walls have been tested to the highest seismic standard AAMA 501.4 and AAMA 501.6.
• Kawneer’s 1600 Curtain Wall Systems® and Trifab® VersaGlaze® 450 Framing System offer abundant views of the inspiring surroundings and welcome natural light to reduce the building’s electricity usage.

ARCHITECT:
YGH Architecture, Portland, Oregon

DEVELOPER:
Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon

GENERAL CONTRACTOR:
Andersen Construction, Portland, Oregon

GLAZING CONTRACTOR:
Dallas Glass, Salem, Oregon

Photography: © Josh Partee

Gladys Valley Marine Studies Building at Oregon State University’s Hatfield Marine Science Center [1073 KB]