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Project name: Portland State University Vernier Science Center

Location: Portland

Completion: August 2024

Size: 89,500 square feet

Cost: $62 million

Owner: Portland State University

Architect: Bora Architects

Interior Designer: Bora Architects

Engineers: AEI (Affiliated Engineers Inc.), Catena Consulting Engineers, Samata Consulting Engineers

General Contractor: Skanska USA Building

Submitting Company: Skanska USA Building

Subcontractors: Bargreen Ellingson, Building Material Specialties, Consurco, Cosco Fire Protection, D&R Masonry Restoration, EC Electric, Encore Glass, Interior Tech, MacDonald Miller Facility Solutions, McDowell Shotcrete & Concrete, Milne Masonry, mottLAB West, Mt. Hood Window Coverings, Norse Ironworks, Pac Green Landscape, Rubenstein’s Contract Carpet, Sign Wizards, Skyline Sheet Metal, Snyder Roofing & Sheet Metal, Stonhard, TK Elevator, Total Mechanical, Turtle Mountain Construction, Western Partitions, Williamsen & Bleid

Portland State University’s 1967 Science Building One has been reborn as the Vernier Science Center, setting a new standard for inclusive STEAM education through unprecedented collaboration with BIPOC students.

The renovated center represents a dramatic shift from its Brutalist origins into a welcoming space that intentionally addresses historic inequalities in science education.

The level of student and community engagement was unprecedented in PSU history. The renovation applied a Critical Race spatial lens throughout the design process. Indigenous perspectives feature prominently in the building. Each floor is named after plant or animal relatives significant to Native cultures, with QR codes providing audio recordings in Native languages. The center includes a community gathering room, decolonized library and food/plant teaching kitchen.

The food lab supports the Indigenous Traditional Ecological and Cultural Knowledge Program, allowing Native community members to process and preserve their own foods – a direct contribution to food sovereignty efforts.

Innovative solutions overcame significant technical challenges. When the roof couldn’t support seismic loads for new systems, engineers implemented ancillary steel spanning the mechanical screen, avoiding costly structural upgrades.

Engineers’ initial investigations revealed that the actual structure did not match the as-built drawings. Laser scanning and BIM coordination identified these discrepancies early, preventing expensive change orders.

The project achieved LEED Gold certification through carbon-reduction strategies including reuse of the existing structure, and improving energy efficiency by upgrading single-paned windows and modernizing mechanical systems. The team reused as many items as possible, including salvaging laboratory equipment and casework, and refurbishing the existing elevator.

Adjacent to the center, a new park replaced the demolished Stratford Hall. This outdoor classroom features micro prairies and native species significant to Indigenous cultures, supporting PSU’s urban Oak Savanna restoration efforts.

Safety innovations included implementing Green Dot for the Trades bystander training. Every craft worker received training on proactive intervention strategies, fostering a culture of accountability and providing tools to address inappropriate behavior.

The VSC project had a high participation of small and diverse businesses. The project goal for diverse participation was 20 percent, and the final project achieved 26.6 percent, with $14.72 million paid to HUB and COBID-certified subcontractors. Skanska USA Building exceeded its diverse business participation goal by implementing flexible procurement policies that accommodated smaller or newer diverse businesses. Early payment prioritization and breaking larger contracts into smaller work packages also contributed to this success.