Oregon State University Cordley Hall Rehabilitation

In Construction (Phase II)

At 220,000 square feet, Cordley Hall is one of the largest buildings on the Oregon State University campus and is the long-time home to the Departments of Integrative Biology and Botany & Plant Pathology. A contributing resource in OSU’s Historic District, the building was constructed in two phases starting in 1956 and is now undergoing a critically needed comprehensive renovation. Our historic rehabilitation and biology laboratory design is evolving Cordley into a world-class learning and research environment while upgrading building infrastructure, efficiency, safety, and accessibility. Renovation is complete on the west side of the building, which is now occupied, and the second phase of construction is underway on the east side.

Exterior improvements include brick repair, full window replacement, and the addition of a grand porch and canopy at the main entrance, which will restore the envelope and re-establish Cordley’s connection to the rest of campus. Inside, we’ve designed modern teaching and research labs, classrooms, offices, and support facilities. Open, flexible learning and collaboration spaces — sorely missing from the original design — will be integrated on every floor in the form of meeting rooms, study nooks, and lounges. A new North District Utility Plant located on the northwest corner of the site provides high-efficiency cooling for more than 500,000 square feet of existing OSU academic buildings, including Cordley Hall, with the additional capacity for integrating future buildings.

The project is one of the first to go through OSU’s Requirements for Sustainable Development program and is tracking LEED Gold equivalency. Advocating equity, we designed gender-neutral restrooms, intuitive wayfinding, and a universally accessible lecture hall. The driving concept of “science on display” inspired increased transparency at all labs and teaching spaces, prevalent hallway exhibits, and biophilic design features like natural materials and biology-inspired artwork. OSU’s expansive, museum-like natural history resources – including renowned arthropod and herbarium collections – will be curated and publicly displayed to share the excitement and wonder of science.